U.S. patent number 9,836,803 [Application Number 13/806,924] was granted by the patent office on 2017-12-05 for network system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC. The grantee listed for this patent is Junho Ahn, Juyoung Cha, Sungyong Heo, Shinjae Jeong, Kyungeun Jo, Sangseog Kang, Sunhee Kang, Younghyun Kang, Yanghwan Kim, Jaekuk Kwon, Youngtae Kwon, Hoonbong Lee, Koonseok Lee, Taeyun Lim, Byeongho Min, Dongchun Shin, Kicheol Shin. Invention is credited to Junho Ahn, Juyoung Cha, Sungyong Heo, Shinjae Jeong, Kyungeun Jo, Sangseog Kang, Sunhee Kang, Younghyun Kang, Yanghwan Kim, Jaekuk Kwon, Youngtae Kwon, Hoonbong Lee, Koonseok Lee, Taeyun Lim, Byeongho Min, Dongchun Shin, Kicheol Shin.
United States Patent |
9,836,803 |
Ahn , et al. |
December 5, 2017 |
Network system
Abstract
A network system is provided. The network system includes: at
least one component selected from an energy receiving unit
receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy
receiving unit. The energy receiving unit or the energy management
unit receives energy rate related information; an energy usage
amount or a usage rate of when the component is controlled on the
basis of at least the energy rate related information is less than
that of when the component is controlled without the basis of at
least energy rate related information; if the energy rate related
information is high cost information, a function of one component
constituting the energy receiving unit is limited; and an operating
time or an output of the energy receiving unit is adjusted in
correspondence to the limited function of one component.
Inventors: |
Ahn; Junho (Changwon-si,
KR), Kim; Yanghwan (Changwon-si, KR), Lee;
Hoonbong (Changwon-si, KR), Lee; Koonseok
(Changwon-si, KR), Kang; Sangseog (Changwon-si,
KR), Kang; Sunhee (Changwon-si, KR), Kang;
Younghyun (Changwon-si, KR), Kwon; Youngtae
(Changwon-si, KR), Kwon; Jaekuk (Changwon-si,
KR), Min; Byeongho (Changwon-si, KR), Shin;
Kicheol (Changwon-si, KR), Shin; Dongchun
(Changwon-si, KR), Lim; Taeyun (Changwon-si,
KR), Jeong; Shinjae (Changwon-si, KR), Jo;
Kyungeun (Changwon-si, KR), Cha; Juyoung
(Changwon-si, KR), Heo; Sungyong (Changwon-si,
KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ahn; Junho
Kim; Yanghwan
Lee; Hoonbong
Lee; Koonseok
Kang; Sangseog
Kang; Sunhee
Kang; Younghyun
Kwon; Youngtae
Kwon; Jaekuk
Min; Byeongho
Shin; Kicheol
Shin; Dongchun
Lim; Taeyun
Jeong; Shinjae
Jo; Kyungeun
Cha; Juyoung
Heo; Sungyong |
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si |
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A |
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC (Seoul,
KR)
|
Family
ID: |
45371982 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/806,924 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2011 |
PCT
Filed: |
June 24, 2011 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/KR2011/004640 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
May 07, 2013 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2011/162576 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
December 29, 2011 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20130274938 A1 |
Oct 17, 2013 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
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Jun 25, 2010 [KR] |
|
|
10-2010-0060592 |
Jun 25, 2010 [KR] |
|
|
10-2010-0060593 |
Jun 26, 2010 [KR] |
|
|
10-2010-0060891 |
Jun 26, 2010 [KR] |
|
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10-2010-0060898 |
Jun 26, 2010 [KR] |
|
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10-2010-0060900 |
Nov 26, 2010 [WO] |
|
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PCT/IB2010/003388 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q
50/06 (20130101); H02J 13/00004 (20200101); H04L
12/12 (20130101); H02J 13/00034 (20200101); H04L
12/2803 (20130101); H02J 13/00012 (20200101); H02J
3/14 (20130101); H02J 2310/64 (20200101); Y04S
20/20 (20130101); Y02B 70/30 (20130101); H02J
2310/14 (20200101); Y02D 30/50 (20200801); Y04S
20/242 (20130101); Y04S 50/10 (20130101); Y04S
20/222 (20130101); Y02B 70/3225 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06Q
50/06 (20120101); H02J 3/14 (20060101); H02J
13/00 (20060101); H04L 12/12 (20060101); H04L
12/28 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2001-231169 |
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Aug 2001 |
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JP |
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2002051462 |
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Feb 2002 |
|
JP |
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2008-306832 |
|
Dec 2008 |
|
JP |
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10-2002-0041928 |
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Jun 2002 |
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KR |
|
10-2003-0036286 |
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May 2003 |
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KR |
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10-2006-0039171 |
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Sep 2006 |
|
KR |
|
10-0701110 |
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Mar 2007 |
|
KR |
|
10-2007-0062006 |
|
Jun 2007 |
|
KR |
|
1020080107939 |
|
Dec 2008 |
|
KR |
|
10-2009-0085920 |
|
Aug 2009 |
|
KR |
|
2010-031012 |
|
Mar 2010 |
|
WO |
|
WO 2010042550 |
|
Apr 2010 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Norton; Jennifer L
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dentons US LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A network system comprising: one or more of an energy receiving
component receiving energy and an energy management component
controlling the energy receiving component, wherein the energy
receiving unit or the energy management unit receives information
related to energy cost, and an energy usage amount or a usage cost
of when the one or more of the energy receiving component receiving
energy and the energy management component is controlled on basis
of at least information related to energy cost is less than that of
when the one or more of the energy receiving component receiving
energy and the energy management component is controlled without
basis of the at least information related to energy cost; and an
energy storage component for storing energy to be supplied to one
of the energy receiving component and the energy management
component, wherein a ratio of an amount of the energy stored in the
energy storage component to an amount of energy supplied from an
energy supply component is determined based on a difference between
an energy consumption amount and a reference energy amount and a
difference between an energy consumption cost and a reference
energy cost, and the energy is supplied to the energy receiving
component according to the determined ratio.
2. The network system of claim 1, wherein the energy stored in the
energy storage component is used to drive one or more components
constituting the energy receiving component when power supplied to
the energy receiving component is restricted.
3. The network system of claim 2, further comprising the energy
supply component supplying the energy to the energy receiving
component, wherein the supplying energy of the energy supply
component varies based on the information related to energy
cost.
4. The network system of claim 3, wherein the energy receiving
component is selectively connected to one of the energy supply
component and the energy storage component, based on whether the
information related to energy cost is high price information or
not.
5. The network system of claim 2, wherein the energy stored in the
energy storage component is supplied to the one or more of the
energy receiving component receiving energy and the energy
management component when the information related to energy cost is
recognized as high price information.
6. The network system of claim 3, wherein the energy from the
energy supply component is supplied to the one or more of the
energy receiving component receiving energy and the energy
management component when the information related to energy cost is
not recognized as high price information.
7. The network system of claim 2, wherein the one or more of the
energy receiving component receiving energy and the energy
management component is one of a communication unit, provided to
allow a communication with one of an energy metering component and
the energy management component, and a display unit displaying an
operating status of the energy receiving component.
8. The network system of claim 2, wherein the restriction of
supplying energy to the energy receiving component corresponds to
one of cutting off the supplying energy and a supplying standby
energy source to the energy receiving component.
9. The network system of claim 3, wherein at least a part of the
energy supplied from the energy supply component is able to be
stored in the energy storage component, and wherein the energy
receiving component consumes the energy supplied from one of the
energy supply component and the energy storage component and one of
an energy consumption amount and an energy consumption cost of the
energy receiving component is metered.
10. The network system of claim 1, wherein, when the energy
consumption amount is greater than the reference energy amount or
the energy consumption cost is greater than the reference energy
cost, an energy consumption rate is determined wherein energy
corresponding to the reference energy amount is supplied from the
energy supply component and energy exceeding the reference energy
amount is supplied from the energy storage component.
11. The network system of claim 1, wherein, when the energy
consumption amount is less than the reference energy amount or the
energy consumption cost is less than the reference energy cost, an
energy consumption rate is determined wherein only the energy
stored in the energy storage component is supplied to the energy
receiving component or the energy supplied from the energy supply
component is supplied to the energy receiving component.
12. The network system of claim 1, wherein, when the energy
consumption amount is greater than the reference energy amount or
the energy consumption cost is greater than the reference energy
cost, an energy consumption rate is determined wherein a usage
amount of the energy stored in the energy storage component is
greater than a usage amount of the energy supplied from the energy
supply component.
13. The network system of claim 1, wherein, when the energy
consumption amount is less than the reference energy amount or the
energy consumption cost is less than the reference energy cost, an
energy consumption rate is determined wherein a usage amount of the
energy supplied from the energy supply component is greater than a
usage amount of the energy stored in the energy storage
component.
14. The network system of claim 1, wherein the information related
to energy cost comprises high price information and low price
information divided depending on a preset reference price, and
wherein an energy storage price of storing energy in the energy
storage component is compared with the preset reference price and
the energy is stored when the energy storage price is less than the
preset reference price.
15. The network system of claim 14, wherein both a storage start
time and a storage end time of storing energy in the energy storage
component belong to a time period of the low price information.
16. The network system of claim 14, wherein a storage start time of
storing energy in the energy storage component belongs to a time
period of the high price information and a storage end time thereof
belongs to a time period of the low price information.
17. The network system of claim 14, wherein a storage start time of
storing energy in the energy storage component belongs to a time
period of the low price information and a storage end time thereof
belongs to a time period of the high price information.
18. The network system of claim 14, wherein both a storage start
time and a storage end time of storing energy in the energy storage
component belong to a time period of the high price
information.
19. The network system of claim 14, wherein the preset reference
price is determined based on one or more of energy storage
allowable money amount and energy information of a time period
comprising an estimated driving time and an energy consumption
amount of the energy receiving component.
20. The network system of claim 1, wherein the energy receiving
component comprises: a driving unit providing a driving force; and
an energy storage unit storing energy generated from the driving
unit based on the information related to energy cost.
21. The network system of claim 20, wherein the energy receiving
component comprises a first switch to allow the energy in the
energy storage unit to be supplied to the energy receiving
component when the information related to energy cost is high price
information.
22. The network system of claim 20, wherein the energy receiving
component comprises: an energy conversion unit generating other
energy from one energy generated in the driving unit when the
information related to energy cost is low price information; and a
second switch selectively connecting the driving unit to the energy
conversion unit.
23. The network system of claim 20, wherein the energy generated
from the driving unit is one of a dynamic energy of the driving
unit and a counter electromotive force of the driving unit.
24. The network system of claim 23, wherein the dynamic energy of
the driving unit is a rotational force provided to drive the
driving unit.
25. The network system of claim 24, wherein the driving unit is a
fan motor.
26. The network system of claim 23, wherein the counter
electromotive force of the driving unit occurs when driving of the
driving unit stops.
27. The network system of claim 1, further comprising: a common use
energy generator generating common use energy; and an eco-friendly
energy generator generating eco-friendly energy, wherein the energy
receiving component receives, based on one of energy information
and additional information, energy from one of the common use
energy generator and the eco-friendly energy generator.
28. The network system of claim 27, wherein the additional
information is one of environmental information, program update
information, time information, information regarding an operation
or status of each component, habit information of a user using an
energy consumption component.
29. The network system of claim 28, wherein the environmental
information comprises one or more of a temperature, a wind speed,
an air volume, a solar radiation amount, and precipitation.
30. The network system of claim 28, wherein the energy management
component predicts an electricity generation amount for each
electricity generation method based on the environmental
information.
31. The network system of claim 30, wherein the electricity
generation method comprises one or more of a solar generation
method, a wind power generation method, and a water power
generation method.
32. The network system of claim 30, wherein generation of
electricity is performed by one generation method with an estimated
generation amount corresponding to a maximum amount.
33. The network system of claim 27, wherein, when the information
related to energy cost corresponds to high price information, the
energy generator supplying energy to the energy receiving component
is changed from the common use energy generator to the eco-friendly
energy generator.
34. A network system comprising: one or more of an energy receiving
component receiving energy and an energy management component
controlling the energy receiving component, wherein the energy
receiving unit or the energy management unit receives information
related to energy cost, and an energy usage amount or a usage cost
of when the one or more of the energy receiving component receiving
energy and the energy management component is controlled on basis
of at least information related to energy cost is less than that of
when the one or more of the energy receiving component receiving
energy and the energy management component is controlled without
basis of the at least information related to energy cost; and an
energy storage component for storing energy to be supplied to one
of the energy receiving component and the energy management
component, wherein, based on the information related to energy
cost, the energy stored in the energy storage component is supplied
to the energy receiving component in a high price information
period, and wherein energy supplied from an energy supply component
is supplied to the energy receiving component in a low price
information period, wherein a ratio of an amount of the energy
stored in the energy storage component to an amount of the energy
supplied from the energy supply component is based on a difference
between an energy consumption amount and a reference energy amount
and a difference between an energy consumption cost and a reference
energy cost, and the energy is supplied to the energy receiving
component according to the determined ratio.
35. A network system comprising: one or more of an energy receiving
component receiving energy and an energy management component
controlling the energy receiving component, wherein the energy
receiving unit or the energy management unit receives information
related to energy cost, and an energy usage amount or a usage cost
of when the one or more of the energy receiving component receiving
energy and the energy management component is controlled on basis
of at least information related to energy cost is less than that of
when the one or more of the energy receiving component receiving
energy and the energy management component is controlled without
basis of the at least information related to energy cost; and an
energy storage component for storing energy to be supplied to one
of the energy receiving component and the energy management
component, wherein, among operation modes of the energy receiving
component, an operation mode with an estimated power consumption
amount less than an amount of the energy stored in the energy
storage component is performed using the energy stored in the
energy storage component, and wherein an operation mode with an
estimated power consumption amount more than the amount of the
energy stored in the energy storage component is performed using
energy supplied from an energy supply component, wherein a ratio of
an amount of the energy stored in the energy storage component to
an amount of the energy supplied from the energy supply component
is determined based on a difference between an energy consumption
amount and a reference energy amount and a difference between an
energy consumption cost and a reference energy cost, and the energy
is supplied to the energy receiving component according to the
determined ratio.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a 35 USC .sctn.371 National Stage entry of
International Application No. PCT/KR2011/004640 filed on Jun. 24,
2011, and claims priority of Korean Application No. 10-2010-0060593
filed on Jun. 25, 2010, Korean Application No. 10-2010-0060592
filed on Jun. 25, 2010, Korean Application No. 10-2010-0060898
filed on Jun. 26, 2010, Korean Application No. 10-2010-0060891
filed on Jun. 26, 2010, Korean Application No. 10-2010-0060900
filed on Jun. 26, 2010 and PCT/IB/2010/003388 filed on Nov. 26,
2010, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a network system.
BACKGROUND ART
A provider has simply provided energy sources such as electricity,
water and gas while a consumer has simply used the supplied energy
sources. This makes difficult to realize efficient management in
terms of the generation, distribution and use of energy. Therefore,
a network system for effectively managing energy is in need.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Technical Problem
Embodiments provide a network system capable of effectively
managing energy sources.
Technical Solution
In one embodiment, a network system comprises: one or more of an
energy receiving component receiving energy and an energy
management component controlling the energy demanding component;
and wherein the energy receiving unit or the energy management unit
receives information related to energy cost; an energy usage amount
or a usage cost of when the component is controlled on the basis of
at least information related to energy cost is less than that of
when the component is controlled without the basis of at least
information related to energy cost; wherein the network system
further comprises: an energy storage unit for storing energy to be
supplied to one of the energy receiving component and the energy
management component.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features
will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
Advantageous Effects
According to embodiments, an energy source can be efficiently
produced, used, distributed, and stored, thus enabling the
effective management of the energy source.
Also, by using energy information, in-house electric products can
be driven and controlled. The energy usage cost and power
consumption can be reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an example of a network
system according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the
network system according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an information transmission
process on the network system according to the present
disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a view showing the communication structure of two
components that constitute the network system according to a first
embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a
communication device that constitutes a communication unit.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a communication performing process between
a specific component and a communication device according to the
first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a communication performing process between
a specific component and a communication device according to a
second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a view showing the communication structure of components
that constitute the network system according to a third
embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a
first component in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a view showing the communication structure of components
that constitute the network system according to a fourth
embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a
first component in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example an example of a
component that constitutes the network system of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating a home network according
to an embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a block view illustrating a network system including the
energy consumption component 100 according to an embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the
network system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the
network system according to another embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a network system including
the energy consumption component 100 according to another
embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a schematic view illustrating a home area network
according to another embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a
device according to an embodiment.
FIGS. 20 to 22 are graphs illustrating an electricity cost varying
with a certain time period and electricity storage time periods
related to the present embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a view illustrating relations among power stored in an
electricity storage device, a power consumption amount, and a
reference power amount
FIG. 24 is a view illustrating relations among the power
consumption amount, the reference power amount, and the stored
power amount related to the present embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a view illustrating an example of determining the high
price information period and the low price information period by
using a certain reference value S.
FIG. 26 relates to an embodiment of driving an electric product
considering an estimated power consumption amount for each
operation mode and an amount of power stored in an electricity
storage device.
FIGS. 27 and 28 are block views illustrating a network system
according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a block view illustrating a network system according to
another embodiment.
FIG. 30 is a graph illustrating an amount of energy stored in one
unit of an energy consumption component 400 according to another
embodiment.
FIG. 31 is a schematic view illustrating the home area network 20
of the network system according to another embodiment.
FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of converting
an energy generator according to whether it is a high price time
period of an electricity cost or not in the network system.
FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of performing
electricity generation using an optimal generation method according
to environment information in the network system.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the
present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the
present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an example of a network
system according to the present disclosure.
The network system is a system for managing an energy source such
as electricity, water or gas. The energy source means one of which
amount generated or used can be metered. Therefore, even a source
not mentioned above may be used as the energy source. Hereinafter,
electricity will be described as an example of the energy source,
and details of this specification may be identically applied to
other energy sources.
Referring to FIG. 1, a network system according to an embodiment
includes a power plant for producing electricity. The power plant
may include a power plant for producing electricity through a
thermal power generation or nuclear power generation and a power
plant using water power, sunlight power, wind power or the like
which is eco-friendly energy.
The electricity produced in the power plant is transmitted to a
sub-control center through a power transmission line, and the
sub-control center transmits the electricity to a substation so
that the electricity is distributed to customers such as houses or
offices.
Electricity produced by the eco-friendly energy is also transmitted
to the substation so as to be distributed to each of the customers.
The electricity transmitted from the substation is distributed to
each of the offices or houses through electricity power storage, or
is directly distributed to each of the offices or houses.
In a house using a home area network (HAN), electricity may be
produced by itself through sunlight, fuel cells built in a plug-in
hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or the like. Also, the produced
electricity may be stored or distributed, or surplus electricity
may be resold to the outside world.
The network system may include a smart meter for detecting the
amount of electricity used in each customer (house, office or the
like) in real time, and an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI)
for metering the amount of electricity used in a plurality of
customers.
The network system may further include an energy management system
(EMS) for managing energy. The EMS may generate information on
operations of one or more components with respect to energy
(production of energy, distribution of energy, usage of energy,
storage of energy, and the like). The EMS may generate at least a
command for the operations of the components.
In this specification, a function or solution performed by the EMS
may be referred to as an energy management function or energy
management solution.
In the network system, one or more EMSs may be provided as a
separate configuration, or the EMS may be included as an energy
management function or energy management solution in one or more
components.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the
network system according to the present disclosure.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the network system according to the
present disclosure is configured by a plurality of components. For
example, the components of the network system are a power plant, a
substation, a sub-control center, an EMS, electric home appliances,
a smart meter, a storage battery, a web server, an AMI, a home
server, and the like.
In the present disclosure, each of the components may be configured
by a plurality of sub-components. As an example, in a case of one
component is an electric home appliance, sub-components may be a
microcomputer (MICOM), a heater, a display and the like. That is,
all that perform a specific function may be components in the
present disclosure, and such components constitute the network
system of the present disclosure. Two components may communicate
with each other by means of a communication unit. One network may
be one component or may be configured by a plurality of
components.
In this specification, the network system in which communication
information is related to an energy source may be referred to as an
energy grid.
A network system according to an embodiment may include a utility
area network (UAN) 10 and a home area network (HAN) 20. The UAN 10
and the HAN 20 may perform wired or wireless communication by means
of a communication unit, and may perform two-way communication.
In this specification, the term "home" means not only a household
as a lexical meaning but also a group in which specific components
such as buildings or companies gather. Also, the term "utility"
means a group in which specific components outside the home
gather.
The UAN 10 includes an energy generation component 11 for
generating energy, an energy distribution component 12 for
distributing or transmitting energy, an energy storage component 13
for storing energy, an energy management component 14 for managing
energy, and an energy metering component 15 for metering
information related to energy.
In a case where one or more components that constitute the UAN 10
consume energy, the components that consume the energy may be
energy consumption components.
The energy consumption component is a component corresponding to
the energy consumption component 26 that constitutes the HAN 20.
The energy consumption component may be the same component as the
energy consumption component 26 or may be another component
distinguished from the energy consumption component 26.
The energy generation component 11 may be a power plant as an
example. The energy distribution component 12 distributes or
transmits energy generated in the energy generation component 11
and/or energy stored in the energy storage component 13 to the
energy consumption component 26 that consumes the energy. The
energy distribution component 12 may be a power transmitter,
substation, sub-control center, or the like.
The energy storage component 13 may be a storage battery, and the
energy management component 14 generates information for driving
one or more of the energy generation component 11, the energy
distribution component 12, the energy storage component 13 and the
energy consumption component 26, related to energy. The energy
management component 14 may generate at least a command for the
operation of a specific component.
The energy management component 14 may be an EMS. The energy
metering component 15 may meter information related to the
generation of energy, the distribution of energy, the usage of
energy, the storage of energy, and the like. The energy metering
component 15 may be an AMI as an example. The energy management
component 14 may be a separate configuration, or may be included in
another component as an energy management function.
The UAN 10 may communicate with the HAN 20 by a terminal component
(not shown). That is, information generated or transferred in a
specific component that constitutes the UAN 10 may be transmitted
to the HAN 20 through the terminal component, or information
generated or transferred in another component that constitutes the
HAN 20 may be received to the UAN 10 through the terminal
component. The terminal component may be a gate way as an example.
The terminal component may be provided to one or more of the UAN 10
and the HAN 20.
The terminal component may be a component necessary for
transmitting/receiving information between the UAN and the HAN.
Two components that constitute the UAN 10 may communicate with each
other by means of a communication unit.
The HAN 20 includes an energy generation component 21 for
generating energy, an energy distribution component 22 for
distributing energy, an energy storage component 23 for storing
energy, an energy management component 24 for managing energy, an
energy metering component 25 for metering information related to
energy, an energy consumption component 26 for consuming energy, a
central management component 27 for controlling a plurality of
components, and an energy grid assistance component 28.
The energy generation component 21 may be a home power generator,
and the energy storage component 23 may be a storage battery. The
energy management component 24 may be an EMS. As an example, the
energy generation component 21 may be a solar cell, a fuel cell, a
wind power generator, a power generator using subterranean heat, a
power generator usng seawater, or the like.
The energy storage component 23 may perform storage using energy
generated from the energy generation component 21. Therefore, in
view of the use of energy, the energy storage component 23 and the
energy generation component 11 may be an energy using component
that uses energy together with the energy consumption component 26.
That is, the energy using component may include at least an energy
consumption component, an energy generation component and an energy
storage component. In a case where the energy management component
uses energy, it may be included in the energy using component.
In view of the supplied energy, the energy storage component 23,
the energy consumption component and the energy generation
component 11 may be an energy supplied component to which energy is
supplied.
The energy metering component 25 may meter information related to
the generation of energy, the distribution of energy, the usage of
energy, the storage of energy, and the like. The energy metering
component 25 may be a smart meter as an example. The energy
consumption component 26 may be, as an example, an electric home
appliance or a heater, motor, display or the like, which
constitutes the electric home appliance. In this embodiment, there
is no limitation in the kind of the energy consumption component
26.
Specifically, the energy generation component 21 may be another
component of the UAN 10, which generates energy to be supplied to
the HAN 20.
The energy management component 24 may be provided as a separate
configuration or may be included in another component as an energy
management function. As an example, the energy management function
may be performed by a control component that controls the energy
consumption component. In a case where the control component
performs the energy management function, it may be an energy
management component.
Specifically, the energy management component 14 that constitutes
the UAN 10 or the energy management component 24 that constitutes
the HAN 20 may be built in one or more of the plurality of
components that constitute the networks 10 and 20, or may exist as
a separate device. The energy management component 24 may recognize
the information related to energy (energy information) and the
state information of a component controlled by the energy
management component 24.
The energy generation component 21, the energy distribution
component 22 and the energy storage component 23 may be individual
components, or may constitute a single component.
The central management component 27 may be, as an example, a home
server for controlling a plurality of electric home appliances.
The energy grid assistance component 28 is a component having a
primary function while performing an additional function for the
energy grid. For example, the energy grid assistance component 28
may be a web service providing component (e.g., a computer or the
like), mobile device, television, or the like.
The mobile device may receive energy information or additional
information (described later), and control the operation of at
least the energy consumption component 26 using the received
information.
Two components that constitute the HAN 20 may communicate with each
other by means of a communication unit.
The energy generation components 11 and 21, the energy distribution
components 12 and 22, the energy storage components 13 and 23, the
energy management components 14 and 24, the energy metering
components 15 and 25, the energy consumption component 26 and the
central management component may independently exist, or two or
more of them may constitute a single component.
For example, the energy management component 14 or 24, the energy
metering component 15 or 25 and the central management component 27
may exist as single components so as to be configured as a smart
meter, an EMS and a home server, which perform their functions,
respectively. Alternatively, the energy management component 14 or
24, the energy metering component 15 or 25 and the central
management component 27 may constitute a single system.
When a function is performed, it may be sequentially performed in a
plurality of components and/or communication units. For example, an
energy management function may be sequentially performed in the
energy management component, the energy metering component and the
energy consumption component.
In the network system, a plurality of UANs 10 may communicate with
a single HAN 20, and a single UAN 10 may communicate with a
plurality of HANs 20.
The component with a specific function, which constitutes the UAN
and the HAN, may be configured as a plurality of components. For
example, the energy generation component, the energy consumption
component or the like may be configured as a plurality of
components.
In this specification, each of the components that constitute the
UAN and HAN may having a function performing component that
performs its own function, or each of the components itself may be
a function performing component.
As an example, in a case where the energy consumption component is
an electric product, the electric product has a function performing
component such as a heater, compressor, motor or display. As
another example, in a case where the energy consumption component
is a heater, compressor, motor, display or the like, the energy
consumption component itself is a function performing
component.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an information transmission
process on the network system according to the present
disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 3, in the network system according to the present
disclosure, a specific component 30 may receive information related
to energy (hereinafter, referred to as energy information 40) by
means of a communication unit. The specific component 30 may
further receive additional information (environment information,
time information and the like) by means of the communication unit.
In this instance, the information may be received from another
component. That is, at least energy information is contained in the
received information.
The specific component 30 may be a component that constitutes the
UAN 10 or a component that constitutes the HAN 20.
As described above, the energy information 40 may be one of
information related to electricity, water, gas and the like.
Hereinafter, information related to electricity will be described
as an example of the energy information, but information related to
other energy sources may be identically applied.
For example, the kind of information related to the electricity may
include time-based pricing, curtailment, grid emergency, grid
reliability, energy increment, operation priority, and the
like.
The information may be divided into scheduled information
previously produced based on previous information, and real-time
information changed in real time. The scheduled information and the
real-time information may be divided by whether or not predict
information after the current time (in the future).
The energy information 40 may be transmitted/received as a true or
false signal such as a Boolean signal on the network system, or may
be transmitted/received as a real price. Alternatively, the energy
information 40 may be transmitted/received by being divided into a
plurality of levels.
The energy information 40 may be divided into time of use (TOU)
information, critical peak pattern (CPP) information or real time
pattern (RTP) information according to the change in the pattern of
data with respect to time.
According to the TOU information, a data is changed step by step
depending on time. According to the CPP information, a data is
changed step by step or in real time depending on time, and
emphasis is displayed at a specific point of time. According to RTP
information, a data is changed in real time depending on time.
In a case where the energy information is time-based pricing
information as an example, the time-based pricing information is
changed. The time-based pricing information may be
transmitted/received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean
signal on the network system, or may be transmitted/received as a
real price. Alternatively, the time-based pricing information may
be transmitted/received by being divided into a plurality of
levels.
In a case where the specific component 30 receives a true or false
signal such as a Boolean signal, one signal may be recognized as an
on-peak signal, and the other signal may be recognized as an
off-peak signal.
Alternatively, the specific component 30 may recognize information
on at least one drive, which contains the time-based information,
and may recognize an on-peak or off-peak signal by comparing the
value of the recognized information with the value of reference
information.
For example, in a case where the specific component 30 recognizes
information divided into levels or real pricing information, it
recognizes an on-peak or off-peak signals by comparing the value of
the recognized information with the value of reference
information.
In this case, the value of the information on drive may be at least
one of time-based pricing, electric energy, the variation of
time-based pricing, the variation of electric energy, the average
of time-based pricing and the average of electric energy. The value
of reference information may be at least one of an average, the
average between maximum and minimum values of power information
during a predetermined period of time and the reference variation
of power information during the predetermined period of time (e.g.,
the slope of consumed electric energy per unit time).
The value of reference information may be determined in real time
or may be previously determined. The value of reference information
may be determined on the UAN or may be determined on the HAN (a
customer's direct input or an input from the energy management
component, the central management component or the like).
In a case where the specific component 30 (e.g., the energy
consumption component) recognizes an on-peak signal (e.g., at a
point of time of recognition), an output may be determined as zero
(stop or maintenance of a stop state) or may be decreased. If
necessary, the output may be restored or increased. The driving
scheme of the specific component may be previously determined
before the specific component is operated, or may be changed when
the specific component recognizes an on-peak signal posterior to
the start of operation.
Alternatively, in a case where the specific component 30 recognizes
an on-peak signal (e.g., at a point of time of recognition), the
output is maintained under an operable condition. In this case, the
operable condition means that the value of the information on drive
is less than a predetermined reference. The value of the
information on drive may be time-based pricing, consumed electric
energy, operation time, or the like. The predetermined reference
may be a relative or absolute value.
The predetermined reference may be determined in real time or may
be previously determined. The predetermined reference may be
determined on the UAN or may be determined on the HAN (a customer's
direct input or an input from the energy management component, the
central management component or the like).
Alternatively, in a case where the specific component recognizes
high-cost information, the output of the specific compoinent may be
maintained or increased when the difference between a state
information value and a reference value is within a predetermined
range. For example, in a case where a compressor of a refrigerator
is not operated in a low-cost section, the temperature of a cool
chamber or freezing chamber is increased. Therefore, the compressor
is necessarily turned on when the temperature of the cool chamber
or freezing chamber approaches a reference temperature. In a case
where a high-cost section comes after the compressor is turned on,
the compressor maintains a current output when the difference
between the temperature of the cool chamber or freezing chamber and
the reference temperature is within a predetermined range. In a
case where a user selects a button for cancelling power saving in
the state that the specific component 30 recognizes the high-cost
information, the output of the specific component may be
maintained.
Alternatively, in a case where the specific component 30 recognizes
an on-peak signal (e.g., at a point of time of recognition), the
output may be increased. However, although the output is increased
at the point of time when the specific component recognizes the
on-peak signal, the total output amount of the specific component
during the entire drive period may be decreased or maintained as
compared with that when the specific component is operated at a
normal output level. Alternatively, although the output is
increased at the point of time when the specific component
recognizes the on-peak signal, the total consumed power or total
time-based pricing of the specific component during the entire
operation period may be decreased as compared that when the
specific component is operated at a normal output level.
In a case where the specific component 30 recognizes an off-peak
signal (e.g., at a point of time of recognition), the output may be
increased. For example, in a case where the operation reservation
of the specific component is set up, the drive of the specific
component may be started before the setup time, or a component
having a large output among a plurality of components may be first
driven. In a case where the specific component is a refrigerator,
supercooling may be performed by increasing an output as compared
with the existing output (change in the state of cool air that is a
medium for performing the function of the refrigerator). In a case
where the specific component is a washing machine or washer, hot
water may be stored by driving a heater earlier than the time when
the heater is to be operated (storage of hot water that is an
additional medium for performing the function of the washing
machine or washer). Alternatively, in a case where the specific
component is a refrigerator, cool air may be stored in a separate
supercooling chamber by increasing an output as compared with the
existing output. Alternatively, in a case where the specific
component recognizes an off-peak signal (e.g., at a point of time
of recognition), electricity may be stored.
The curtailment information is information related to a mode in
which the specific component is stopped or a small amount of
time-based pricing is taken. As an example, the curtailment
information may be transmitted/received as a true or false signal
such as a Boolean signal on the network system.
If the specific component 30 recognizes curtailment information,
the output may be determined as zero (stop or maintenance of a stop
state) or may be decreased as described above.
The grid emergency information is information related to a power
failure or the like. As an example, the grid emergency information
may be transmitted/received as a true or false signal such as a
Boolean signal on the network system. The information related to a
power failure or the like has a relation with the reliability of a
component using energy.
In a case where the specific component 30 recognizes grid emergency
information, it may be immediately shut down.
The grid reliability information is information related to the
supply amount of electricity supplied or information related to the
quality of electricity. The grid reliability information may be
transmitted/received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean
signal on the network system, or may be determined by a component
(e.g., an electric home appliance) through the frequency of AC
power supplied to the component.
That is, if a frequency lower than the frequency of AC power
supplied to the component is sensed, it may be determined that the
amount of electricity supplied is small (information on the
deficiency of the amount of electricity supplied). If a frequency
higher than the frequency of AC power supplied to the component is
sensed, it may be determined that the amount of electricity
supplied is large (information on the excess of the amount of
electricity supplied).
In a case where the specific component recognizes shortage of the
amount of electricity or poor quality of electricity in the grid
reliability information, an output may be determined as zero (stop
or maintenance of a stop state) or may be decreased. If necessary,
the output may be restored or increased.
On the other hand, in a case where the specific component
recognizes the information on the excess of the amount of
electricity supplied, the output may be increased, or the operation
may be converted from an off-state to an on-state.
The energy increment information is information related to a state
that surplus electricity is generated because the amount of
electricity used by a component is less than that of power
generation. As an example, the energy increment information may be
transmitted/received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean
signal on the network system.
In a case where the specific component 30 recognizes energy
increment information, the output may be increased. For example, in
a case where the operation reservation of the specific component is
set up, the drive of the specific component may be started before
the setup time, or a component having a large output among a
plurality of components may be first driven. In a case where the
specific component is a refrigerator, supercooling may be performed
by increasing an output as compared with the existing output. In a
case where the specific component is a washing machine or a washer,
hot water may be stored by driving a heater earlier than the time
when the heater is to be operated. Alternatively, in a case where
the specific component recognizes an off-peak signal (e.g., at a
point of time of recognition), electricity may be stored.
Meanwhile, in a case where the specific component 30 is the energy
storage component 13 or 23, the energy storage component 13 or 23
may store electricity by receiving the electricity supplied from
the UAN, for example, when electricity storage cost is smaller than
a predetermined value.
However, in a case where the energy storage component is connected
to the energy generation component 21 that constitutes the HAN, it
may continuously store energy generated by the energy generation
component 21 until the electricity storage is completed. That is,
the energy generated while the energy generation component 21
generates energy may be stored in the energy storage component
23.
The presence of completion of the electricity storage is determined
while the energy storage component 13 or 23 stores electricity. In
a case where the electricity storage is completed, the electricity
supply for the electricity storage is cut off. Specifically, the
presence of completion of the electricity storage may be determined
using a sensor that senses the voltage, temperature or current of
the energy storage component 13 or 23. The cutoff of the
electricity supply may be performed using a switch (or circuit
breaker) provided to a supply stage through which the electricity
is supplied to the energy storage unit 13 or 23.
The electricity storage cost may be cost consumed in the
electricity storage for a specific time period or electricity cost
at a specific time.
As an example, in a case where the electricity storage cost is in
an off-peak section (in a case where the specific component
recognizes low-cost information which will be described later), the
energy storage component 13 or 23 may store electricity.
Alternatively, in a case where an on-peak section corresponds to an
allowance section (in a case where the specific component
recognizes high-cost information which will be described later),
the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store in the on-peak
section. In this instance, the allowance section is a section in
which a power consumption information value is less than a
predetermined reference. The power consumption information value
may be a electricity cost, a power consumption amount, a time
range, or the like. The predetermined reference may be a
predetermined cost, a predetermined power consumption amount, a
predetermined time, or the like. The predetermined reference may be
a relative value or absolute value, and may be changed
automatically or manually.
The energy storage component 13 or 23 may store a counter
electromotive force generated when an energy consumption component
that is rotatably operated or a motor provided to the energy
consumption component is stopped (rotated).
Alternatively, the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store
electricity using an energy consumption component that is rotatably
operated or a motor provided to the energy consumption component.
For example, in a case where the energy consumption component is a
refrigerator, the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store
electricity generated when a fan motor provided to the refrigerator
is rotated (the fan motor may serve as a power generator or may be
connected to the power generator). Alternatively, in a case where
the energy consumption component is a washing machine, the energy
storage component 13 or 23 may store electricity generated when a
motor that rotates a drum for accommodating the laundry is rotated.
In a case where the energy consumption component is a cooking
appliance, the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store
electricity generated when a motor for rotating a cooling fan is
rotated. In a case where the energy consumption component is an air
cleaner, the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store
electricity generated when a motor for rotating a fan is rotated.
That is, in this embodiment, in a case where a motor is provided
regardless of the kind of the energy consumption component, the
energy storage component 13 or 23 may store electricity generated
when the motor is rotated. Alternatively, in a case where a power
generator is connected to a fan rotated by the flow of air (natural
flow or forcible flow), the energy storage component 13 or 23 may
store electricity generaged by the power generator.
The electricity stored in the energy component 13 or 23 may be
supplied to one or more energy consumption components 26. In a case
where electricity cost is higher than a reference value, the
electricity stored in the energy component 13 or 23 may be supplied
to the energy consumption component 26. As an example, in a case
where the electricity cost is an on-peak (in a case where the
specific component recognizes the high-cost information), the
electricity stored in the energy storage component 13 or 23 may be
supplied to the energy consumption component 26. In a case where
the electricity cost is an off-peak (in a case where the specific
component recognizes the low-cost information) but is close to the
on-peak, the electricity stored in the energy storage component 13
or 21 may be supplied to the energy consumption component. If the
electricity stored in the energy storage component 13 or 23 is less
than a predetermined value, electricity generated in the energy
generation component 11 is supplied to the energy consumption
component. Thus, it is possible to prevent the operation of the
energy consumption component from being stopped due to the cutoff
of the electricity supply while the energy consumption component is
operated.
In a case where the supply of electricity generated in the energy
generation component 11 is cut off by interruption of electric
power, the electricity stored in the energy component 13 or 23 may
be supplied to the energy consumption component. In a case where
the energy consumption component is an electric product, the
electricity stored in the energy storage component 13 or 23 may be
supplied to a communication unit or control unit provided to the
electric product.
The electricity stored in the energy component 13 or 23 may be
supplied to a portion of a plurality of energy consumption
components. As an example, the stored electricity may be supplied
to an electric product such as a refrigerator required in
continuous operation among a plurality of electric products.
Alternatively, the stored electricity may be supplied to an energy
consumption component with relatively low power among a plurality
of energy consumption components that constitute one electric
product. It will be apparent that the stored electricity is
supplied to an energy consumption component with high power.
Alternatively, when a course using a relatively small amount of
power is performed among a plurality of courses in which an
electric product is performed, the stored electricity may be
supplied. It will be apparent that the stored electricity may be
supplied even when a course using a large amount of power is
performed.
Meanwhile, in a case where electricity is generated and stored by a
fan or motor as described above, the electricity stored in the
energy storage component 13 or 23 may be supplied to an energy
consumption unit with relatively low power. As an example, the
electricity stored in the energy storage component 13 or 23 may be
supplied to an LED lamp, a display, a control unit, a communication
unit, a low-power heater, or the like. Alternatively, in a case
where the energy consumption component performs a plurality of
courses, the electricity stored in the energy storage component 13
or 23 may be supplied to the energy consumption component in a
course that requires low power.
The energy storage component 23 may be built in connected to one
energy consumption component. Alternatively, a plurality of energy
storage components 23 may be built in or connected to a plurality
of energy consumption components, respectively. Alternatively, a
plurality of energy storage components 23 may be built in or
connected to one energy consumption component. The plurality of
energy storage components 23 may be connected to one another to
share the stored electricity.
Among the information related to energy, the on-peak information,
the curtailment information and information on the deficiency of
the amount of electricity supplied may be recognized as high-cost
information considered that energy cost is relatively expensive. In
this instance, the section in which the high-cost information is
recognized by the specific component may referred to as a low-cost
section.
On the other hand, among the information related to energy, the
off-peak information, the energy increment information and the
information on the excess of the amount of electricity supplied may
be recognized as low-cost information considered that energy cost
is relatively cheap. In this instance, the section in which the
low-cost information is recognized by the specific component may be
referred to as a low-cost section.
The information related to the fluctuation of the energy cost
(high-cost or low-cost information) may be recognized as
information for determining a power saving driving scheme of the
specific component (e.g., the energy consumption component). That
is, the information related to the fluctuation of the energy cost
may be recognized by dividing a time slot (time period) based on
energy cost or pricing period (pricing zone) for determining a
driving scheme of the specific component into at least two or
more.
A high period means a high price time period (period of high cost)
or a high pricing period and a low period means a low price time
period (period of low cost) and a low pricing period.
As an example, in a case where the information related to energy is
recognized as a Boolean signal, the time slot (time period) based
on energy cost or pricing period (pricing zone) for determining a
driving scheme of the specific component may be divided into two.
In a case where the information related to energy is divided into a
plurality of levels or recognized as real-time information, the
time period or pricing period may be divided into three or
more.
Meanwhile, the information related to energy cost corresponding to
at least time may be recognized as information for determining a
power saving driving scheme of the specific component. That is, the
information related to energy cost may be recognized by dividing a
time slot (time period) or pricing zone (time period) into at least
two or more. As described above, the divided time period or pricing
period may be determined based on the kinds of the recognized
information (the Bloolean signal, the plurality of levels and the
real-time information).
In other words, the information related to fluctuation of energy
cost may be recognized by dividing a determination factor for
driving the specific component into two or more, and functions on
time and energy cost may be included in the determination
factor.
In a case where the information related to energy cost is divided
into two levels or more, the driving scheme of the specific
component may be determined according to the information divided
into levels.
On the other hand, in a case where the recognized information
related to energy cost is not divided based on a specific reference
(e.g., real-time cost information), it is compared with
predetermined information, and the driving scheme of the specific
component may be determined based on the compared result.
Here, the predetermined information may be reference information
(e.g. reference value) for dividing the information related to
energy cost, and the compared result may be whether not the
information related to energy cost is more or less than the
reference value.
Specifically, each of the kinds of information related to energy
may be divided into first information 41 that is raw information,
second information 42 that is refined information, and third
information 43 that is information for performing the function of
the specific component. That is, the first information is a raw
data, the second information is a refined data, and the third
information is a command for performing the function of the
specific component.
The information related to energy is included a signal, and the
signal is transmitted. In this instance, one or more of the first
to third information may be transmitted several times while the
content of the information is not converted but only the signal
including the information is converted.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a component that receives a signal
including the first information may convert only the signal and
transmit a new signal including the first information to another
component.
Therefore, it is described in this embodiment that the conversion
of signal is a different concept from the conversion of
information. In this instance, it can be readily understood that
when the first information is converted into the second
information, the signal including the first information is also
converted into the signal including the second information.
However, the third information may be transmitted several times in
the state that the content of the third information is converted or
in the state that only the signal including the third information
is converted while the content of the third information is
identically maintained.
Specifically, in a case where the first information is raw
information on time-based pricing, the second information may be
refined information on the time-based pricing. The refined
information on the time-based pricing is information in which the
time-based pricing is divided into a plurality of levels or
analysis information. The third information is a command generated
based on the second information.
The specific component may generate, transmit or receive one or
more of the first to third information. The first to third
information are not necessarily transmitted or received in
sequence. Only a plurality of pieces of third information without
the first and second information may be transmitted in sequence or
parallel. Alternatively, the first and third information may be
transmitted or received together, the second and third information
may be transmitted or received together, or the first and second
information may be transmitted or received together.
As an example, in a case where the specific component receives the
first information, it may transmit the second information or may
transmit the second and third information.
In a case where the specific information receives only the third
information, it may generate and transmit new third
information.
Meanwhile, in the relation between two pieces of information, one
is a message and the other is a response for the message. Thus,
each of the components that constitute the network system may
transmit or receive a message. In a case where each of the
components receives a message, it may respond to the message.
Therefore, in the case of an individual component, the transmission
of a message is a relative concept with the response for the
message.
The message may include a data (first or second information) and/or
a command (third information).
The command (third information) may include a command for storing
the data, a command for generating the data, a command for
processing the data (including the generation of an additional
data), a command for generating an additional command, a command
for transmitting the additionally generated command, a command for
transmitting a received command, and the like.
In this specification, the response for the received message means
storage of the data, processing of the data (including generation
of an additional data), generation of a new command, transmission
of the newly generated command, simple transmission of a received
command (including generation of a command for transmitting the
received command to another component), operation, transmission of
the stored information, transmission of an acknowledge message
(acknowledge character or negative acknowledge character), or the
like.
For example, in a case where the message is first information, the
specific component that receives the first information may generate
second information by processing the first information, or may
generate the second information and new third information, as a
response for the message.
The specific component that receives the message may provide a
response related to energy. Here, the term "response" may be
understood as a concept including an operation through which the
specific component can perform a function. As an example, the HAN
20 may perform an operation related to energy by receiving a
message.
The response (operation) related to energy, provided by the
specific component, will be described in detail. For example, the
specific component may be an energy consumption component.
The energy consumption component may be driven so that the energy
cost when it is driven based on the recognition for energy
information is reduced as compared with that when it is driven
without the recognition for energy information.
The specific component may include a plurality of modes in which it
is driven to perform its own function. The plurality of modes are a
first mode and a second mode in which energy cost is relatively
saved as compared with that in the first mode. The specific
component may be driven in at least one of the first and second
modes.
Here, the first mode may be a general mode and the second mode may
be a power saving mode. Alternatively, the first and second modes
may all be power saving modes.
The general mode may be understood as a mode in which the function
of the specific component is performed without recognition of
energy information. On the other hand, the power saving mode may be
understood as a mode in which the function of the specific
component is performed based on the recognition of energy
information so as to save energy cost.
In a case where the first and second modes are power saving modes,
the first mode may be specified as a driving scheme for saving
energy cost and the second mode may be specified as a driving
scheme in which the energy cost in the second mode is more saved
than that in the first mode.
Meanwhile, in a case where the specific component (e.g., the energy
consumption component) is driven, at least a portion is recognized
in a driving scheme including at least drive time and course. In
this case, an unrecognized portion may be generated so as to save
energy cost, and a recognized portion may be converted into another
scheme.
For example, at least a portion of the driving scheme may be
recognized under the control of the energy management component,
the control of the energy consumption component, or the like. In a
case where a specific driving scheme is further required so as to
save energy cost, an unrecognized portion of the driving scheme may
be newly generated, and a recognized portion may be converted into
another scheme so as to save energy.
It will be apparent that the process of generating the unrecognized
portion may be omitted. In this case, the process of converting the
recognized portion into another scheme. On the other hand, the
process of converting the recognized portion into another scheme
may be omitted. In this case, the process of newly generating the
unrecognized portion may be performed.
The drive time may include a drive start time or drive end time.
The course may include a drive period of the specific component and
the power of the specific component.
The generated scheme or converted scheme may be a scheme
recommended by the specific component so as to save energy cost.
Here, the specific component may be an energy consumption component
(control component) or the energy management component.
As an example, in a case where the recognized scheme is a specific
drive time, the specific drive time may be converted into another
time so as to save energy cost, and a specific course may be
generated.
On the other hand, in a case where the recognized scheme is a
specific course, the specific course may be converted into another
course so as to save energy cost, and a specific time may be
generated.
Under the control described above, a change in time or power may be
made with respect to the output function of the specific component
based on time.
The generated scheme or converted scheme may be performed within a
set range. That is, in the process of recognizing at least a
portion of the driving scheme, the generation or conversion of the
driving scheme may be performed within a predetermined reference in
which the recognized portion appears (e.g., restriction set by a
user, constraint set under the control of the energy management
component or energy consumption component, or the like).
Therefore, in a case where the set range is out of the
predetermined reference, it is restricted to generate the
unrecognized portion or to convert the recognized portion into
another scheme.
Another embodiment is proposed.
Cost information may further included in the recognized driving
scheme. That is, in a case where the cost information is
recognized, a portion related to the drive time or course may be
generated. The generated driving scheme may be recommended.
Meanwhile, a response of the specific component based on the
information related to the fluctuation of the energy cost
(high-cost or low-cost information), e.g., a power control for
power saving driving, may be performed. An output decrease
(including an output of zero) or output increase may be included in
the output control.
It is as described above that the output is decreased or zero,
maintained or increased based on the recognition for the
information (on-peak or off-peak) related to energy cost.
If high-cost information is recognized, the output may be zero or
decreased. Specifically, the output in the recognition of the
high-cost information may be decreased as compared with that in the
recognition of low-cost information. As described above, the
decrease of the output may be previously determined before the
specific component is operated, or may be changed when the
high-cost information is recognized posterior to the start of the
operation of the specific component.
In a case where the output of the specific component is zero or
decreased, the function to be performed by the specific component
may be lost as compared with a normal case. Therefore, a response
for restoring the lost function may be performed.
As an example, after the output of the specific component is
decreased, the specific component may be controlled so that the
total operation time of the specific component is increased or so
that the output is increased in at least a time period.
In other words, if specific reference information related to energy
information is recognized in a period after the output of the
specific component is controlled, the response for controlling the
output may be released. Here, the term "period" may be divided
based on a point of time when the high-cost information is
recognized.
The total operation time may be understood as a time approaching a
specific target in the process of performing the function of the
specific component. As an example, in a case where the specific
component is an electric appliance (washing machine, drying
machine, cooking appliance or the like) intermittently driven (or
driven in a specific course), the total operation time may be
understood as a time until a corresponding course is completed.
On the other hand, in a case where the specific component is an
electric appliance (refrigerator, water purifier, or the like)
driven at normal times, the total operation time may be understood
as a time approaching a target set for performing the function of
the specific component. For example, the set target may be a target
temperature, a target amount of ice produced, or a target amount of
clean water in the refrigerator.
The total operation time may be increased as compared with the
operation time set before the output of the specific component is
decreased. In a case where the output of the specific component is
not decreased, the total operation time may be increased as
compared with the operation time of the specific component.
However, although the total operation time of the specific
component is increased, the specific component is controlled so
that the total energy cost generated through the drive of the
specific component can be saved as compared with that when the
output of the specific component is not decreased.
If the high-cost information is recognized, the output of the
specific component may be increased.
However, although the output is increased at a point of time when
the high-cost information is recognized, the total output of the
specific component during the entire driving period may be
decreased or maintained as compared with that when the specific
component is operated under a normal output. Alternatively,
although the output is increased at a point of time when the
high-cost information is recognized, the total power consumption or
total time-based pricing of the specific component during the
entire driving period may be decreased as compared with that when
the specific component is operated under the normal output.
If the low-cost information is recognized, the output of the
specific component may be increased. For example, in a case where
the operation reservation of the specific component is set up, the
driving of the specific component may be started before the setup
time, or a component having a large output in a plurality of
components may be first driven. In a case where the specific
component is a refrigerator, supercooling may be performed by
increasing an output as compared with the existing output. In a
case where the specific component is a washing machine or a washer,
hot water may be stored by driving a heater earlier than the time
when the heater is to be operated. Alternatively, in a case where
the specific component recognizes an off-peak signal (e.g., at a
point of time of recognition), electricity may be stored.
Meanwhile, in a case of a specific condition (additional condition)
is generated based on the information related to the fluctuation of
the energy cost (high-cost or low-cost information), the response
of the specific component, e.g., the output control for power
saving driving, may be limited. That is, the output of the specific
component may be maintained.
Here, the term "limitation" may be understood as the release of the
output control performed or not performed.
The specific condition includes a case where influence on energy
cost is minute even though the output control of the specific
component is not performed or a case where it is necessary to
prevent a function to be performed by the specific component from
being degraded when the output of the specific component is
controlled.
Whether or not the influence on the energy cost is minute may be
determined based on a predetermined reference (time-based pricing,
power consumption or information on operation time). The
predetermined reference may be a relative or absolute value.
The case where the function to be performed by the specific
component is degraded may be considered as a case where the
specific component is a defrosting heater, for example.
In a case where it is controlled to decrease the output in a
high-cost time period and to increase the output in the low-cost
time period, the driving of the defrosting heater is more
frequently performed than that during a normal time (setup period).
In this case, the temperature of a storage room in the refrigerator
is increased, and thus, the control of the output can be
limited.
Meanwhile, the specific component 30 may include a display unit 31
for displaying information. In this embodiment, the term
"information display" means that visual, auditory, olfactory and
tactile information is known to the outside. The display unit 31
may include a touch screen for selecting or inputting information.
Alternatively, the specific component 30 may include a separate
input unit for inputting information by cable or radio.
All the information (energy information or additional information
except the energy information) described above may be displayed in
the display unit 31. One of the energy information and additional
information may be displayed, or two or more pieces of information
may be simultaneously displayed. That is, two or more pieces of
information may be simultaneously displayed in the display unit 31.
As an example, in a case where two or more pieces of information
are simultaneously displayed, any one of the information is
selected. Then, the selected screen may be enlarged, and the
unselected screen may reduced. As another example, if any one of
the two or more pieces of information is selected, the selected
screen may be enlarged, and the unselected screen may disappear. In
a case where specific information is selected and the selected
screen is enlarged, information more specific that the previous
information or information different from the previous information
may be displayed on the enlarged screen. For example, in a case
where the selected information is a character, graphic information
may be displayed on the enlarged screen, or two or more pieces of
information may be sequentially displayed on the enlarged screen.
In a case where two or more pieces of information are displayed in
the display unit 31, two or more relative positions may be
varied.
Information except energy cost information and energy cost may be
displayed in the display unit 31. The energy cost information may
include current cost, past cost or estimated cost in the future.
The energy cost information may include not only information on
cost information in a specific period or time but also information
on cost used with respect to the operation of a component, cost
used in the present, cost to be used (estimation cost), or the
like.
The information except the energy cost information may include
information on energy reduction, emergency situation, grid safety,
power generation quantity, operation priority, energy consumption,
energy supply amount, information (e.g., cost change rate, average
cost, level or the like) newly generated based on two or more
pieces of information (one or more pieces of energy cost
information and/or information except the one or more pieces of
energy cost information), and the like. In this instance, the
energy consumption may be energy consumption used two or more HANs,
and may be simultaneously or selectively displayed.
The information on energy consumption may include information on
past consumption, current consumption and estimated consumption in
the future. The information on energy consumption may include
information on accumulated consumption for a specific period
(time), average consumption, increasing rate of consumption,
decreasing rate of consumption, maximum consumption, minimum
consumption, and the like.
The additional information may include one or more of environment
information, time information, information related to the one or
more components, information related to another component and
information related to a user using the one or more components. The
environment information may include one or more of information
related to carbon dioxide emission rate, concentration of carbon
dioxide in air, temperature, humidity, precipitation, presence of
rainfall, amount of solar radiation, amount of wind.
In addition to the information described above, information refined
based on at least one information or newly generated information
may also be displayed in the display unit 31.
In a case where the specific component 30 is the energy storage
component 13 or 23, the presence of use of the stored electricity,
the remaining amount of the store electricity and the like may be
displayed. If the remaining amount of the stored electricity is
less than a predetermined value, alarm information may be
displayed.
The information displayed in the display unit 31 may include one or
more of information on number, character, sentence, figure, shape,
symbol, image and light. The information displayed in the display
unit 31 may include one or more of information on graph for each
time or period, level, table. One or more of the shape, color,
brightness, size, position, alarm period, alarm time of the
information displayed in the display unit 31 may be varied.
A currently operable function (or menu) may be displayed in the
display unit 31. Alternatively, among a plurality of functions,
operable and inoperable function may be divided by size, color,
position and the like, and then displayed in the display unit 31.
Alternatively, in a case where separate input units are provided,
only an input units for selecting an operable function may be
activated, or an input unit for selecting an operable function and
an input unit for selecting an inoperable function may be displayed
in different colors.
The target or display method of information displayed in the
display unit 31 may be set and changed by a user, or may be changed
automatically.
In a case where a condition for informing the user of information
is satisfied, specific information may be displayed in the display
unit 31. It will be apparent that a portion of a plurality pieces
of information may be continuously displayed in the state that a
component is turned on. The display time of the information may be
changed or set automatically or manually.
If specific information (one or more pieces of information) is
selected using the input unit, the selected information may be
displayed. If a user contacts a portion of a component, e.g., an
input unit, a handle, a display or the like, regardless of
information display selection, or operates one or more buttons or
knobs that constitute the input unit, a portion of the information
may be displayed. In this instance, the information to be displayed
may be set or changed. It will be apparent that a sensing unit for
sensing a user's contact may be provided to the component.
Alternatively, the specific information may be displayed by
installation environment or variation of outdoor environment.
Alternatively, the specific information may be displayed when the
specific component receives new information. Alternatively, the
specific information may be displayed when the kind or state of the
specific component is changed. As an example, if a light emitting
unit is turned off in an off-peak section and an on-peak section
comes, the light emitting unit may be turned on. Alternatively, the
specific information may be automatically displayed when the
operation or state of the component is changed. As an example, in a
case where the mode of the component is changed, information
related to the changed mode may be automatically displayed.
Meanwhile, the display unit 31 may be separably connected or fixed
to the component 30. In a case where the display unit 31 is
separable from the component 30, it may perform wired or wireless
communication with the component 30 (or control unit of the
component). In a case where the display unit 31 is fixed to the
component 30, it may also perform wired or wireless communication
with the component 30.
In a case where the display unit 31 is separable from the component
30, a communication unit and an input unit for inputting or
selecting information may be provided to the display unit 31. Thus,
information can be inputted or selected through the input unit in
the state that the display unit 31 is separated from the component
30. The communication unit may be provided to the component 30, and
only the display unit 31 may be separated from the component 30.
The display unit 31 may be the energy management component 24, the
energy metering component 25 or the central management component
27, or may be a separate control apparatus.
In a case where the display unit 31 is provided with a
communication unit, a communication unit may also provided to the
component 30. In a case where the display unit 31 and the component
30 are in the state that they are communicated with each other and
information is transmitted/receive through a communication signal,
the display unit 31 may be used. That is, in a case where the
intensity of a signal is secured so that information can be
included in the communication signal, the display unit 31 may be in
an available state. On the other hand, in a case where the display
unit 31 is not communicated with the component 30 or information is
not included in the communication signal due to the weak intensity
of the signal, the display unit may be in an unavailable state. One
of the display unit 31 and the component 30 transmits a
communication signal, and the other of the display unit 31 and the
component 30 transmits a response signal. The presence of use of
the display unit 31 may be determined by the presence of reception
of the communication and response signals and the signal intensity.
That is, in a case where any one of the display unit 31 and the
component 30 does not receive a signal or the intensity of received
signal is less than a reference intensity, it may be determined
that the display unit 31 is unavailable. Any one of the display
unit 31 and the component 30 may increase the intensity of a
transmission signal until it receives a response signal of which
intensity is more than the reference intensity.
Information for informing the user of the presence of use of the
display unit 31 may be displayed in the display unit 31 or the
component 30. If it is recognized that the display unit 31 is
unavailable, the component 30 may be controlled to increase its
unique performance, to perform a door locking function or to limit
its operation. Alternatively, the power of the component may be off
while maintaining the power of a communication apparatus (modem)
required to perform communication in the network system.
Alternatively, the power of the component may be off while
maintaining only a memory function for storing the state
information of the component.
Meanwhile, sensors may be provided to the respective display unit
31 and component 30 so as to sense the presence of mounting of the
display unit 31. As an example, the presence of mounting of the
display unit 31 may be determined when the component 30 is
operated. Each of the sensors may be a vibration sensor for sensing
vibration. If the display unit 31 is mounted on the component 30,
vibration generated in the operation of the component 30 can be
transferred to the display unit 31. Therefore, in a case where the
difference between the values of vibrations respectively sensed by
the sensors is less than a predetermined value, it may be
recognized that the display unit 31 is mounted on the component 30.
If it is recognized that the display unit 31 is mounted on the
component 30, the operation of the component 30 may be controlled
so that vibration or noise generated in the operation of the
component 30 is decreased. As an example, in a case where the
component 30 is a washing machine or drier, the rotation speed of a
motor may be decreased. In a case where the component 30 is a
refrigerator, the driving period of a compressor may be decreased.
On the contrary, if it is recognized that the display unit 31 is
separated from the component 30, the component may be controlled to
increase its unique performance, to perform a door locking function
or to limit its operation.
As another example, each of the sensor may be a temperature sensor.
In a case where the difference between the values of temperatures
respectively sensed by the sensors is less than a predetermined
value, it may be recognized that the display unit 31 is mounted on
the component 30.
In the state that the display unit 31 is separated from the
component 30, an auxiliary display unit may be provided to the
component 30 so as to enable the operation of the component 30. The
presence of operation of the auxiliary display unit may be
determined based on the presence of use of the display unit 31. As
an example, if the display unit 31 is separated from the component
30 or is unavailable, the auxiliary display unit may be turned
on.
FIG. 4 is a view showing the communication structure of two
components that constitute the network system according to a first
embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed
configuration of a communication device that constitutes a
communication unit.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, first and second component 61 and 62
that constitute the network system may perform wired or wireless
communication by means of a communication unit 50. The first and
second components 61 and 62 may perform unidirectional or
bidirectional communication.
In a case where the two components 61 and 62 perform wired
communication, the communication unit 50 may be a simple
communication line or power line communication means. It will be
apparent that the power line communication means may include
communicators (e.g., a modem or the like) respectively connected to
the two components.
In a case where the two components 61 and 62 perform wireless
communication, the communication unit 50 may include a first
communicator 51 connected to the first component 61 and a second
communicator 52 connected to the second component 62. In this case,
the first and second communicators 51 and 52 perform wireless
communication with each other.
As an example, if any one of the first and second communicators is
powered on, one of the two communicators may transmit a network
participation request signal, and the other of the two
communicators may transmit a permission signal. As another example,
if any one of the first and second communicators is powered on, the
powered-on communicator may transmit a network participation
request signal to a communicator previously participated in the
network, and the communicator that receives the request signal may
transmit a permission signal to the powered-on communicator.
In a case where a communicator that recognizes energy information
determines that an error occurs in the received information in the
state that a specific component participates in the network, the
information is re-requested. For example, in a case where the first
communicator receives energy information from the second
communicator but an error occurs in the received information, the
first communicator may request the second communicator to
re-transmit the energy information. If the first communicator does
not receive normal information for a predetermined time or number
of times, it is determined that the first communicator has an
error. In this case, information for informing a user of the error
may be displayed in the first communicator or the first component
61.
The first component 61 may be a component that constitutes the UAN
10 or a component that constitutes the HAN 20.
The second component 62 may be a component that constitutes the UAN
10 or a component that constitutes the HAN 20.
The first and second components 61 and 62 may be the same kind of
component or different kinds of components.
Components may be joined in the UAN 10 or the HAN 20.
Specifically, addresses may be assigned to a plurality of
components, e.g., first and second components, respectively. Here,
the addresses are necessary for performing communication between
the components and can be mapped to at least a group.
The address may be understood as values respectively converted from
the unique code of the first or second component. That is, at least
a portion of the components that constitute the network system may
have an unchangeable/unique code, and the code may be converted
into an address for building a network.
In other words, product codes for at least some of the plurality of
components capable of constituting first and second networks may be
converted into different network codes based on the constituted
networks.
As an example, the product code may be a unique code determined in
production of electric appliances or a code separately provided for
the registration of a network. The product code may be converted
into an identity (ID) for identifying a network to which the
electric appliance is to be registered.
The first and second networks may be networks that constitute the
UAN 10 or networks that constitute the HAN 20. On the other hand,
the first and second networks may be the UAN 10 and the HAN 20,
respectively. Alternatively, the first and second networks may be
the HAN 20 and the UAN 10, respectively.
A first component and a second component for allowing the first
component to participate in the network may be included in the
plurality of components that constitute the network. For example,
the first component may be an electric appliance and the second
component may be a server.
Any one of the first and second components transmits a request
signal for participating in the network, and the other of the first
and second components may transmit a permission signal.
That is, a signal may be transmitted/received between the first and
second components, and whether or not to participate in the network
may be determined based on the transmission time or number of the
signal.
As an example, the first component transmits a test signal to the
second component, and it is determined whether or not a response
signal from the second component is transmitted to the first
component. In a case where the response signal is not transmitted,
the first component re-transmits the test signal, and it is
re-determined whether or not a response signal from the second
component is transmitted to the first component. By repeating such
a process, if the transmission number of the test signal exceeds
the setting number of the test signal, it may be determined that
the second component does not participate in the network.
Meanwhile, the first component may transmit the test signal to the
second component. If a response signal from the second component is
not transmitted within a setup time, it may be determined that the
second component does not participate in the network.
The first and second communicators 51 and 52 may have the same
structure. Hereinafter, the first and second communicators 51 and
52 will be referred to as a communicator 51 and 52.
The communicator 51 and 52 may include a first communication part
511 for communication with the first component 61, a second
communication part 512 for communication with the second component
62, a memory 513 for storing information received from the first
component 61 and information received from the second component 62,
a processor 516 for performing information processing, and a power
supply 517 for supplying power to the communicator 51 and 52.
Specifically, the communication language (or scheme) of the first
communication part 511 may be identical to or different from that
of the second communication part 512.
Two kinds of information respectively received from the two
components may be stored in the memory 513. The two kinds of
information may be stored in a single sector or may be respectively
stored in sectors. In any case, an area in which the information
received from the first component 61 may be referred to as a first
memory 514, and an area in which the information received from the
second component 62 may be referred to as a second memory 515.
The processor 516 may generate first information or generate second
and third information based on information received from the
component or another communicator.
As an example, in a case where the communicator 51 and receives the
first information, it may generate information or sequentially
generate the information and the second information by processing a
data. Alternatively, in a case where the communicator 51 and 52
receives the first information, it may generate the second and
third information by processing a data. In a case where the
communicator 51 and 52 receives the third information, it may new
third information.
For example, in a case where the second component is an energy
consumption component (electric home appliance, component that
constitutes the electric home appliance, or the like), the second
communicator may generate a command for reducing energy
consumption. In a case where the second component is an energy
generation component, energy distribution component or energy
storage component, the second communicator 52 may generate a
command for energy generation time, generation amount, energy
distribution time, distribution amount, energy storage time,
storage amount or the like. In this case, the second communicator
52 serves as an energy management component.
The power supply 517 may receive electricity supplied from the
components 61 and 62 or may receive electricity supplied from a
separate power source. Alternatively, the power supply 517 may be a
battery or the like.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a communication performing process between
a specific component and a communication device according to the
first embodiment.
Hereinafter, for convenience of illustration, a communication
performing process between the second component and the second
communicator 52 will be described as an example. A communication
performing process between the first component 61 and the first
communicator 51 may be identically applied to that between the
second component 62 and the second communicator 62.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the second communicator 52 receives a
message from the first communicator 51. The second communicator 52
may receive a message in real time or by periods without
transmitting a request for the message to the first communicator
51, or may receive a message as a response for the request for the
message to the first communicator 51. Alternatively, the second
communicator 52 may receive a message by requesting information to
the first communicator 51 at a point of time when it is initially
turned on. Then, the second communicator 52 may receive information
in real time or by periods from the first communicator 51 without a
request for information.
The information received from the first communicator 51 is stored
in the memory 513. The second communicator 52 transmits a message
to the second component 62 as a response for the message. In this
instance, the message transmitted to the second component 62
relates to new information different from the information
previously stored in the memory 513, or information generated in
the processor 516.
Then, the second component 62 transmits an acknowledge character
(ack) or negative acknowledge character (Nak) to the second
communicator 52 as a response for the message. The second component
62 performs a function (generation of a command, operation, or the
like) based on the received information, or waits for performing
the function.
Meanwhile, the second communicator 52 requests component
information to the second component 62 in real time or by periods.
As an example, the component information may be component state
information or information on a component unique code, a
manufacturer, a service name code, an electricity use amount, and
the like. Then, the second component 62 transmits component
information to the second communicator 52 as a response for the
request. The component information is stored in the memory 513 of
the second communicator 52.
If the second communicator 52 receives a message for requesting the
component information from the first communicator 51, it transmits
the component information stored in the memory 513 to the first
communicator 51 as a response for the message. Alternatively, the
second communicator 52 transmits the component information stored
in the memory 513 to the first communicator 51 in real time or by
periods.
The second communicator 52 may transmit the information of the
first component, stored in the memory, to the first component
together with the information received from the first component.
Alternatively, the second communicator 52 may transmit the
information of the first component, stored in the memory, to the
first component, separately from transmitting the information
received from the first component.
The second communicator 52 stores the information of the second
component 62 in the memory 513. Hence, in a case where the second
communicator 52 receives a message for requesting the component
information from the first communicator 51, it transmits the
component information stored in the memory 513 directly to the
first communicator 51 without a request for information to the
second component 62, and thus, the communication load of the second
component 62 can be reduced. That is, the second component becomes
a virtual component.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a communication performing process between
a specific component and a communication device according to a
second embodiment.
Hereinafter, for convenience of illustration, a communication
performing process between the second component and the second
communicator 52 will be described as an example. A communication
performing process between the first component 61 and the first
communicator 51 may be identically applied to that between the
second component 62 and the second communicator 62.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the second communicator 52 receives a
message from the first communicator 51. The second communicator 52
may receive a message in real time or by periods without
transmitting a request for the message to the first communicator
51, or may receive a message as a response for the request for the
message to the first communicator 51. Alternatively, the second
communicator 52 may receive a message by requesting information to
the first communicator 51 at a point of time when it is initially
turned on. Then, the second communicator 52 may receive information
in real time or by periods from the first communicator 51 without a
request for information.
If the second communicator 52 receives a message for requesting
information from the second component 62, it transmits a message to
the second component 62 as a response for the message for
requesting the information. In this instance, the message
transmitted to the second component 62 relates to new information
different from the information previously stored in the memory 513,
or information generated in the processor 516. Alternatively, the
information transmitted to the second component 62 may be
information received from the first component.
The second component 62 performs a function based on the received
information or waits for performing the function.
Meanwhile, the second component 62 transmits component information
to the second component 62 in real time or by periods. As an
example, the component information may be component state
information or information on a component unique code, a
manufacturer, a service name code, an electricity use amount, and
the like.
As described above, the electric use amount may be detected by the
smart meter. In a case where the electricity use amount is included
in the information of the second component 62, the correction of an
actual electricity use amount may be performed by comparing the
information of the second component 62 with the information of the
smart meter.
Then, the second communicator 52 stores the information of the
second component 62 in the memory 513, and transmits an acknowledge
character (ack) or negative acknowledge character (Nak) to the
second component 62 as a response for the message.
If the second communicator 52 receives a message for requesting
component information from the first communicator 51, it transmits
the information of the second component 62, stored in the memory
513, to the first communicator 51 as a response for the message.
Alternatively, the second communicator 52 the information of the
second component 62, stored in the memory 513, to the first
communicator 51 in real time or by periods.
The second communicator 52 stores the information of the second
component 62 in the memory 513. Hence, in a case where the second
communicator 52 receives the message for requesting the component
information from the first communicator 51, it transmits the
information stored in the memory 513 directly to the first
communicator 51 without transmitting a request for information to
the second component 62, and thus, the communication load of the
second component 62 can be reduced. That is, the second
communicator 52 becomes a virtual component.
<Applications>
In the following descriptions, the first and second components may
be reversed to each other, and therefore, overlapping descriptions
will be omitted. For example, in a case where the first component
is an electric home appliance and the second component is an energy
management component, description in a case where the first
component is an energy management component and the second
component is an electric home appliance will be omitted.
Information transmitted/received by each of the components may be
all the information described above. Particularly, specific
information may be transmitted/received for each of the
components.
The energy generation components 11 and 21 may transmit/receive
information related to energy generation amount, and the like. The
energy distribution components 12 and 22 may transmit/receive
information related to energy distribution amount, distribution
time, and the like. The energy storage components 13 and 23 may
transmit/receive information related to energy storage amount,
storage time, and the like. The energy metering components 15 and
25 may transmit/receive information related to energy consumption
amount, and the like. The energy management components 14 and 24
may transmit/receive information related to energy generation,
distribution, storage, consumption, cost, reliability, emergency
situation, and the like.
(1) Case where Second Component is One Component of HAN
The second component 62 may be an energy consumption component 26,
e.g., a heater, motor, compressor, display or the like. In this
case, the first component 61 may be a MICOM or energy consumption
component 26 as an example. The MICOM or energy consumption
component 26 may transmit a message for reducing energy consumption
to another energy consumption component 26. Then, the another
energy consumption component 26 may perform an operation for
reducing energy, for example.
As another example, the energy consumption component 26 may be an
electric home appliance. In this case, the first component 61 may
be an energy storage component 23, an energy consumption component
26 (electric home appliance), an energy management component 24, an
energy metering component 25, a central management component 27, a
web server component 28, or a component that constitutes the UAN
10.
In this instance, an energy management function may be included or
not included in the first component 61 except the energy management
component 24.
In a case where an energy management function or solution is not
included in the first component 61, it may be included in the
communication unit or may be included in the MICOM of the second
component 62. In this case, the energy management function is
related to the consumption of energy.
As still another example, the second component 62 may be an energy
generation component 21, an energy distribution component 22 or an
energy storage component 23. In this case, the first component 61
may be an energy management component 24, a central management
component 27, a web server component 28 or a component that
constitutes the UAN 10.
A message may be transmitted to the second component 62. Here, the
message may include energy generation time, generation amount or
the like, energy distribution time, distribution amount or the
like, and energy storage time, storage amount or the like.
In this instance, an energy management function may be included or
not included in the first component 61 except the energy management
component 24.
In a case where an energy management function or solution is not
included in the first component 61, it may be included in the
communication unit. In this case, the energy management function is
related to the generation, distribution and storage of energy.
As still another example, the second component may be an energy
metering component 25. In this case, the first component 61 may be
a central management component 27, a web server component 28 or a
component that constitutes the UAN 10.
An energy management function may be included or not included in
the energy metering component. In a case where the energy
management function is included in the energy metering component
25, the energy metering component 25 performs the same operation as
the EMS.
In a case where an energy management function or solution is
included in the energy metering component 25, it may be included in
the communication unit or may be included in the second component
62.
As still another example, the second component 62 may be a central
management component 27. In this case, the first component 61 may
be a web server component 28 or a component that constitutes the
UAN 10.
(2) Case where Second Component is One Component of UAN
The first component 61 may be a component that constitutes the UAN
10. In this case, the first and second components 61 and 62 may be
the same kind of component or different kinds of components.
An energy management function may be included in the first
component 61, the second component 62 or the communication
unit.
The energy management function included in a specific component or
the energy management function included in the energy management
component 14 may be related to generation amount, distribution
amount, storage amount, energy use amount of a component that
constitutes the HAN 20.
In this specification, an example capable of constituting the
network system has been described. However, any component not
mentioned in this specification may be a first or second component
that performs communication through the communication unit. For
example, an automobile may be a second component, and the energy
management component 24 may be a first component.
(3) Case where One of First and Second Components Communicates with
Third Component
Although the communication between two components has been
described in the aforementioned examples, each of the first and
second components may perform communication with one or more
components (a third component to an n-th component).
In this case, the relation of the first or second component that
performs communication with the third component and the like may be
one of the aforementioned examples.
For example, the first component may be a component that
constitutes the UAN, the second component may be an energy
management component 24 that communicates with the first component,
and the third component may be an energy consumption component 26
that communicates with the second component. In this instance, one
or more of the three components may communicate with another
component.
In this specification, the first to n-th components may be
components that constitute the UAN or components that constitute
the HAN. Alternatively, a portion of the components may be
components that constitute the UAN, or another portion of the
components may be components that constitute the HAN.
Hereinafter, third and fourth embodiments will be described. A
difference between these embodiments and the aforementioned
embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions and
reference numerals will be quoted to elements of these embodiments
identical to those of the aforementioned embodiments.
FIG. 8 is a view showing the communication structure of components
that constitute the network system according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a
first component in FIG. 8.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a first component 70 may communicate
with second to fifth components 82, 83, 84 and 85. Hereinafter, it
will be described as an example that the first component 70 is a
central management component (home server), the second and third
components 82 and 83 are energy consumption components (electric
home appliances), the fourth component 84 is an energy metering
component (smart meter), and the fifth component 85 is a component
that constitutes the UAN. The components may communicate with each
other by means of a communication unit. In the network system
illustrated in FIG. 8, each of the components is directly connected
to the first component 70 to communicate with the first component
70. However, in a case where each of the components 82, 83, 84 and
85 is connected to new components to communicate with the new
components, the network system may be extended and operated by the
new components.
The second and third components 82 and 83 may be the same kind of
component or different kinds of components. In this embodiment, it
will be described as an example that the second and third
components 82 and 83 are different kinds of energy consumption
components.
The first component 70 may simply transmit information received
from the fourth component 84 and/or the fifth component 85 to the
second component 82 and/or the third component 83, or may process
the received information and transmit the processed
information.
The first component 70 may simply transmit information received
from the second component 82 and/or the third component 83 to the
fourth component 84 and/or the fifth component 85 (a signal may be
converted), or may process the received information and transmit
the processed information (the information is converted.
The first component 70 includes a communication unit 760 for
performing communication with another component, a central manager
710 for managing the entire operation and/or information processing
of the first component, and an application programming interface
720 (hereinafter, referred to as an PI? for performing an interface
between the communication unit 760 and the central manager 710
(specifically, application software).
The communication unit 760 includes a first communication part 762
for performing communication with the second and third components
82 and 83, a second communication part 764 for performing
communication with the fourth component 84, and a third
communication part 766 for performing communication with the fifth
component 85.
In this instance, the first and second communication parts 762 and
764 may use different communication protocols from each other. As
an example, the first communication part 762 may use Zigbee and the
second communication part 764 may use Wi-fi. In this embodiment,
the kind of communication protocol or method used by the first and
second communication parts 762 and 764 is not limited. The third
communication component 766 may use Internet communication as an
example.
The API 720 includes a first API 722, a second API 724 and a third
API 726. The third API 726 is an interface between the central
manager 710 and the third communication part 766, and the first API
722 is an interface between the first communication part 762 and
the central manager 710. The second API 724 is an interface between
the second communication part 762 and the central manager 710.
The first component 70 further includes a local manager 740 and an
interpreter 750. In a case where the information to be
transmitted/received between the API 720 and the communication unit
760 is information related to operations of energy consumption
components (electric home appliances), the local manager 740
outputs information corresponding to the respective energy
consumption components. The interpreter 750 interprets information
transmitted from the local manager 740 to the communication unit
760 or information received in the communication unit 760. The
information outputted from the interpreter 750 is used to set or
get values of information related to the respective energy
consumption components.
The local manager 740 includes a memory (not shown) in which
information related to one or more energy consumption components is
stored. Alternatively, the local manager 740 may be connected to a
memory in which information related to one or more energy
consumption components is stored. The information related to each
of the energy consumption components may include operation
information of each of the energy consumption components and
information for controlling the energy consumption components. The
information related to each of the energy consumption components
may further include software download information for operating
each of the energy consumption components and information for
remote controlling/monitoring.
As an example, in a case where a plurality of energy consumption
components include a washing machine, a refrigerator and a cooking
appliance, information related to each of the energy consumption
components is stored in the memory. The information related to each
of the energy consumption components may be changed as components
connected to the network system are changed.
If a signal is transmitted from the API 720 to the local manager
740, information corresponding to a specific energy consumption
component is outputted. In a case where a plurality of energy
consumption components exist, information on the plurality of
energy consumption components is outputted. The interpreter 750
interprets the information transmitted from the local manager 740
into a machine language so as to transmit the information to the
energy consumption components. The machine language may be a signal
used to set or get the operation information of the energy
consumption components.
The information transmission process in the first component 70 will
be described.
As an example, the first component 70 may receive energy
information (e.g., an energy reduction signal: first command) from
the forth component 45 through the second communication part 764.
The received energy information is transmitted to the central
manager 710 through the second API 724. In the process of
information transmission between the second API 724 and the central
manager 710, only a signal including the information is converted,
and the content of the information is not converted.
Since the energy information is information related to the energy
consumption reduction of the energy consumption components, the
central manager 710 transmits information (second command) related
to operations of the energy consumption components to the API 720.
As an example, the central manager 710 transmits information
necessary for turning off power of the washing machine or
refrigerator.
Then, the information is transmitted from the first API 722 to the
local manager 740.
The local manager 740 transmits information (third command) for
controlling the operation of each of the energy consumption
components to the interpreter 750 based on the information
transmitted from the first API 722. As an example, in a case where
the information transmitted from the first API 722 is information
having different kinds of energy consumption components as targets,
the local manager 740 transmits information related to the control
of each of the energy consumption components to the interpreter
750. In this case, since the local manager 740 receives the second
command and outputs the third command, the information inputted to
the local manager 740 is converted and outputted by the local
manager 740.
Subsequently, the interpreter 750 interprets the information
transmitted from the local manager 740 into a machine language
(signal). Then, the converted signal is transmitted to the target
energy consumption components (second and third components) through
the first communication part 762. Then, the energy consumption
components (second and third components) are finally turned off so
as to reduce energy.
Although it has been described above that the first component
receives information through the second communication part, the
first component may receive information through the third component
so that the information related to the energy consumption
components is outputted.
Meanwhile, the second and third components 82 and 83 may transmit
their own operation information to the first component 70. Since
the information transmitted from the second and third components 82
and 83 is information related to operations of the energy
consumption components, the signal received in the first
communication part 762 is transmitted to the central manager 710
via the interpreter 750, the local manager 760 and the first API
722. In such an information transmission process, the information
related to the second and third components 82 and 83 is stored in
the local manager 740. In this embodiment, since the information
related to the energy consumption components is stored in the local
manager, the local manager may be understood as a virtual energy
consumption component (abstraction model).
The central manager 710 may transmit the received information to
the second communication part 764 and/or the third communication
part 766.
The operation of the first component will be described. The
information received through the communication unit 760 may be
transmitted directly to the API 720, or may be converted (via the
interpreter and the local manager) and then transmitted to the API
720, based on the kind of information (or the type of signal).
The information transmitted from the central manager 740 may be
transmitted directly to the communication unit 760, or may be
converted and then transmitted to the communication unit 760.
As another example, the interpreter may be included in the local
manager 740, and the information received through the communication
unit 760 is transmitted to the local manager 740. However,
converted information may be outputted, or information may be
outputted as it is without converting the information.
Meanwhile, in a case where the information transmitted to the API
720 through the second or third communication part 764 or 766 is
information (raw data or refined data) related to time-based
pricing, the central manager 710 determines the presence of on-peak
time. In the case of the on-peak time, the central manager 710 may
transmit the information (first command) for controlling the
operations of the energy consumption components to the API 720.
Then, the information is converted through the local manager 740,
and the converted information (second command) is transmitted to
the energy consumption components through the first communication
part 762. Alternatively, the central manager 710 may transmit the
information related to the time-based pricing to the first
communication part 762 through the second API 724 without
determining the presence of on-peak time. In this case, the
information may be converted or not converted. That is, in a case
where the central manager directly receives first information (raw
data), it may transmit the first information as it is, or convert
the first information into a second information (refined data) and
then transmit the second information.
FIG. 10 is a view showing the communication structure of components
that constitute the network system according to a fourth
embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the detailed
configuration of a first component in FIG. 10.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the network system of this embodiment
may include at least first to fourth components 92, 94, 96 and
98.
The first component 92 may communicate with the second to fourth
components 94, 96 and 98. The fourth component 98 may communicate
with the first to third components 92, 94 and 96.
Hereinafter, it will be described as an example that the first
component 92 is a central management component (home server), the
second and third components 94 and 96 are energy consumption
components (electric home appliances), and the fourth component 98
is an energy metering component (smart meter).
The central management component (home server) may be understood as
a component necessary for controlling at least a component that
constitutes the HAN 20.
The first component 92 includes a communication unit 970 for
performing communication with another component, a central manager
920 for managing the entire operation and/or information
transmission/reception of the first component 92, and an
application programming interface 930 (hereinafter, referred to as
an "API") that serves as an interface between the communication
unit 970 and the central manager 920 (specifically, application
software).
The communication unit 970 may include a first communication
component 972 for performing communication with the second to
fourth components 94, 96 and 98, and a second communication
component 974 for performing Internet communication.
The API 930 includes a first API 932 and a second API 934. The
second API 934 is an interface between the central manager 920 and
the second communication part 974, and the first API 930 is an
interface between the first communication part 972 and the central
manager 920.
The first component 92 further includes a local manager 950 and an
interpreter 960. In a case where the information to be
transmitted/received between the API 932 and the communication unit
970 is information related to operations of energy consumption
components (electric home appliances), the local manager 950
outputs information corresponding to the respective energy
consumption components. The interpreter 960 interprets information
transmitted from the local manager 950 to the communication unit
970 or information received in the communication unit 970.
In this embodiment, the functions of the interpreter and the local
manager are identical to those of the third embodiment, and
therefore, their detailed descriptions will be omitted.
The information transmission process in the first component 92 will
be described.
As an example, the first component 92 may receive energy
information (e.g., energy reduction signal) from the fourth
component 98 through the first communication part 972.
Alternatively, the first component 92 may receive energy
information from an external component connected to Internet
through the second communication part 974.
The received energy information is transmitted directly to the
first or second API 932 or 934 and then transmitted to the central
manager 920. Since the energy information is information related to
the energy consumption reduction of the energy consumption
components, the central manager 920 transmits information related
to the operations of the energy consumption components to the first
API 932. As an example, the central manager 920 transmits
information necessary for turning off power of a washing machine or
refrigerator.
Then, the information is transmitted from the first API 932 to the
local manager 950.
The local manager 950 transmits information for controlling the
operation of each of the energy consumption components to the
interpreter 960 based on the information transmitted from the first
API 932. As an example, in a case where the information transmitted
from the first API is information related to different kinds of
energy consumption components, the local manager 950 transmits
information related to the control of each of the energy
consumption components to the interpreter 960.
Subsequently, the interpreter 960 interprets the information
transmitted from the local manager 960 into a machine language
(signal). Then, the interpreted signal is transmitted to the energy
consumption components through the first communication part 972.
Then, the energy consumption components are finally turned off so
as to reduce energy.
Meanwhile, the second and third components 94 and 96 may transmit
their own operation information to the first component 92. Since
the information transmitted from the second and third components is
information related to the operations of the energy consumption
components, the signal received in the first communication part 972
is transmitted to the central manager 920 via the interpreter 960,
the local manager 950 and the first API 932. In such an information
transmission process, the information related to the first and
second components is stored in the local manager 950.
The central manager 920 may transmit the received information to
the first communication part 972. Then, the information of the
second and third components 94 and 96 is transmitted to the fourth
component 98.
The operation of the first component will be described. The
information received through the communication unit 970 may be
transmitted directly to the API 930, or may be converted (via the
interpreter and the local manager) and then transmitted to the API
930, based on the kind of information (or the type of signal).
On the contrary, the information transmitted from the central
manager 920 may be transmitted directly to the communication unit
970, or may be converted and then transmitted to the communication
unit 970.
Meanwhile, in a case where the information transmitted to the API
930 through the second communication part 974 is information
related to time-based pricing, the central manager 920 determines
the presence of on-peak time. In the case of the on-peak time, the
central manager 920 may transmit the information for controlling
the operations of the energy consumption components to the API 930.
Then, the information is transmitted to the energy consumption
components through the local manager, the interpreter and the first
communication part. In this case, the first component may be
understood as an energy management component.
Although it has been described above that two energy consumption
components communicate with the first component, the number of
energy consumption components that communicate with the first
component is not limited.
Although it has been described as an example that the first
component is a home server, the first component may be an energy
management component. In this case, the fourth component may be a
central management component, an energy management component, a
smart meter, or the like.
As another example, the first component may be a smart meter. In
this case, the fourth component may be a central management
component, an energy management component, or the like.
As still another example, the first component may be a terminal
component (e.g., a gate way).
As still another example, each of the second and third components
may be an energy generation component, an energy storage component
or the like, which constitutes the HAN. That is, one or more of the
energy generation component, the energy consumption component and
the energy storage component may communicate with the first
component. In addition to information related to the energy
consumption component, information related to the energy generation
component (e.g., information related to the operation of the energy
generation component) and information related to the energy storage
component (e.g., information related to the operation of the energy
storage component) may be stored in the memory included in a local
network or connected to the local network.
Although it has been described above that the first component
performs Internet communication, the Internet communication may not
be performed.
Although it has been described in the first embodiment that a
single local manager is provided, a plurality of local managers may
be provided. As an example, a first local manager may process
information on an electric home appliance such as a refrigerator or
washing machine, and a second local manager may process information
on a display product such as a television or monitor.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example an example of a
component that constitutes the network system of the present
disclosure. The following component 100 may be one component of the
UAN or HAN.
Referring to FIG. 12, the component 101 may include a control unit
102, an input unit 103 for inputting an operational command, and a
display unit 104 for displaying information. In this instance, the
input unit 103 may be provided in the form of a touch screen to the
display unit 104. The control unit 102 may communicate with a
communicator 105.
The component 100 may further include a sensor, a driver, a memory
and the like according to the kind of the component 100. The input
unit or display unit may not be provided to the component 100
according to the kind of the component 100. The component 100 may
be a function performing component, or may include the function
performing component.
As another example, the component 100 may be supplied with energy
form a plurality of energy generation units. Specifically, the
plurality of energy generation units may be a utility network
different from each other. In this case, the ratio of energy
transmitted from a plurality of energy generation units according
to energy information may be changed. That is, in a case where the
energy cost of a first energy generation unit is lower than that of
a second energy generation unit, more energy in the first energy
generation unit may be supplied to the component 100. In this case,
the amount of energy supplied form each energy generation unit or
the energy ratio may be displayed in the display unit 130 of the
component 100. Alternatively, one of a plurality of energy
generation units may constitute a utility network, and the other
may constitute a home area network. Even in this case, the energy
ratio transmitted from a plurality of energy generation units in
accordance with energy information may be changed.
As another example, the component may include a plurality of
function performing components in which the energy is consumed to
generate energy. The energy generated in the plurality of function
performing components may be supplied to the outside. Here, energy
supply ratios in the plurality of function performing components
may be varied. Alternatively, an order of priority of the energy
supply of the plurality of function performing components may be
determined.
FIG. 14 is a block view illustrating a network system including the
energy consumption component 100 according to an embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 14, the network system including the energy
consumption component 100 includes the energy metering component 25
recognizing one of energy information and additional information
except for the energy information, the energy management component
24 controlling driving of the energy consumption component 100
according to the energy information or the additional information,
and a communication unit 120 for communicating with one of the
energy management component 24 and the energy metering component
25. The energy metering component 25 and the energy management
component 24 may be connected to each other for mutual
communication. The communication unit 120 may be provided in the
energy consumption component 100 or provided to be connectable with
the energy consumption component 100.
The network system includes a power supply 150 supplying power to
the energy consumption component 100, a switch 110 provided in the
energy consumption component 100 to selectively supply power to the
communication unit 120, and a control unit 130 controlling the
switch 110. The power supply 150 may be an electrical outlet
provided in a house or a building, which may be an alternating
current (AC) power supply.
The network system includes a storage battery 140 selectively
supplying power to the communication unit 120 as an energy storage
component. The storage battery 140 may be provided inside the
energy consumption component 100 or may be connected to the outside
of the energy consumption component 100 to be capable of
transmitting power.
The storage battery 140 may be charged while the energy consumption
component 100 is being operated. When power of the energy
consumption component 100 is turned off or the energy consumption
component 100 is not used (in a standby power mode), the storage
battery 140 supplies power for driving the communication unit 120.
In this case, the standby power mode indicates a state in which the
energy consumption component 100 is not driven. In the standby
power mode, driving power of the energy consumption component 100
is not provided and only basic functions such as a memory and a
display are maintained.
Though power of the energy consumption component 100 is turned off
or the energy consumption component 100 is in the standby power
mode, the communication unit 120 needs power for communication with
the energy management component 24 or the energy metering component
25. Such power may be provided from the storage battery 140.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the
network system according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 15,
the method of controlling the network system will be described.
When the energy consumption component 100 is operated, the
communication unit 120 may receive the information, that is, one of
the energy information and the additional information except the
energy information from one the energy management component 24 and
the energy metering component 25 (S10).
While the energy consumption component 100 is being operated, it is
determined whether high-price information period has come. In
detail, it is determined whether the information is recognized to
restrict driving the energy consumption component 100, for example,
whether the information is recognized as energy cost information
that is more than a preset reference value (on-peak time period)
(S11). When being recognized as the high-price information period,
power of the storage battery 140 is used to drive the communication
unit 120 (S12).
Also, the energy consumption component 100 may be controlled to
reduce a power consumption amount or electricity cost. In other
words, power provided to the energy consumption component 100 may
be cut off. In this case, the power consumption amount of the
energy consumption component 100 may be reduced. Though the power
provided to the energy consumption component 100 is cut off, the
communication unit 120 may receive power from the storage battery
140 and easily perform communication. The communication unit 120 is
one component driven by the storage battery 140 when power supply
for the energy consumption component 100 is restricted, that is,
the power of the energy consumption component 100 is cut off or the
energy consumption component 100 is in the standby power mode
(S13).
On the contrary, when the information is not recognized as the
high-price information period, for example, as a low-price
information period, power of the power supply 150 may be used to
drive the communication unit 120. Also, the storage battery 140 may
be charged by the power of the power supply 150 while the energy
consumption component 100 is being operated.
On the other hand, after S13, it is determined whether the
high-price information period is finished (S14). When the
high-price information period is finished, process after S15 will
be performed. That is, the communication unit 120 is operated and
the storage battery 140 is charged using the power supply 150 (S15
and S16). However, in case where the high-price information period
is not finished, S12 is performed again.
As described above, when one of the energy information and the
additional information except the energy information is determined
to be high-price information and use of the energy consumption
component 100 is restricted, power supplied to the energy
consumption component 100 is cut off and communication may be
performed using power of the storage battery 140. Accordingly, one
of power consumption and energy cost may be reduced and
communication between components constituting the network system,
particularly, the energy consumption component and one of the
energy management component and the energy metering component may
be smoothly performed.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the
network system according to another embodiment. Referring to FIG.
16, the method of controlling the network system will be described.
The present embodiment relates to a method of controlling the
network system according to a charging state of the storage battery
140.
When the energy consumption component 100 is operated, the
communication unit 120 may receive the information, that is, one of
the energy information and the additional information except the
energy information from one of the energy management component 24
and the energy metering component 25 (S21). While the energy
consumption component 100 is being operated, it is determined
whether the charging state of the storage battery 140 is low
(S22).
When it is determined that the charging state of the storage
battery 140 is low, that is, the storage battery 140 is lacking in
charging, power of the power supply 150 may be supplied to drive
the communication unit 120 (S23). On the contrary, when the
charging state of the storage battery 140 is high, that is,
charging is fully performed, power of the storage battery 140 may
be supplied to drive the communication unit 120. In other words,
since power at least to drive the communication unit 120 is
supplied from the storage battery 140, currents or power supplied
from the power supply 150 may be reduced (S26).
When performing S23, it is determined whether a high-price
information period has come (S24). In detail, it is determined
whether the information is recognized to limit driving of the
energy consumption component 100, for example, whether the
information is energy cost information and is more than a preset
reference value (on-peak time period).
When it is recognized as the high-price information period, the
power supply from the power supply 150 is cut off and the power of
the storage battery 140 is used to drive the communication unit 120
(S27 and S26). Accordingly, power supplied to the energy
consumption component 100 may be cut off, and the power consumption
amount of the energy consumption component 100 may be reduced (S27
and S26).
On the contrary, when the information is not recognized as the
high-price information period, the power of the power supply 150
may be used to drive the communication unit 120. Also, by the power
of the power supply 150, the storage battery 140 may be charged
while the energy consumption component 100 is being operated
(S25).
As described above, depending on whether the storage battery 140,
driving power of the communication unit 120 may vary. Also,
depending on whether the on-peak time period has come, power
consumption of the energy consumption component 100 may be cut off
and communication may be performed using power of the storage
battery 140. Accordingly, electric power or energy cost may be
reduced, and communication between components constituting the
network system, particularly, between the energy consumption
component 100 and one of the energy management component 24 and the
energy metering component 25 may be smoothly performed.
Hereinafter, there will be described still another embodiment.
Since there is a difference only in a part of configuration from
the previous embodiment, the difference will be mainly described
and the same parts employ the description and reference numerals of
the previous embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a network system including
the energy consumption component 100 according to another
embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 17, the network system according to still another
embodiment includes the energy consumption component 100 consuming
energy. The energy consumption component 100 includes a display
unit 180 displaying an operation state of the energy consumption
component 100. As described with reference to FIG. 14, when the
energy consumption component 100 is in a standby power mode, though
power supply to drive the energy consumption component 100 is
restricted, power for driving the display unit 180 may be
supplied.
The network system includes a power supply 150 supplying power to
the energy consumption component 100, the switch 110 provided in
the energy consumption component 100 allowing power supply of the
display unit 180 to be selectable, and the control unit 130
controlling the switch 110.
The network system further includes the storage battery 140 as an
energy storage selectively supplying power to the display unit 180.
The storage battery 140 may be provided inside the energy
consumption component 100 and may be connected to the outside of
the energy consumption component 100 to be capable transmitting
electric power.
The storage battery 140 may be charged while the energy consumption
component 100 is being operated and supplies power to drive the
display unit 180 when power of the energy consumption component 100
is turned off or the energy consumption component 100 is in a
standby power mode. Accordingly, the display unit 180 may be a
component driven by the storage battery 140 when power supply for
the energy consumption component 100 is restricted, that is, the
power of the energy consumption component 100 is cut off or the
energy consumption component 100 is in the standby power mode.
There will be described the workings of the network system
according to the present embodiment in brief.
Based on information transferred from one of the energy management
component 24 and the energy metering component 25, it is not
recognized as a high-price information period, for example,
off-peak time period, the switch 110 is operated and power of the
power supply 150 may be supplied to the display unit 180. On the
contrary, based on information transferred from one of the energy
management component 24 and the energy metering component 25, it is
recognized as a high-price information period, the control unit 130
controls the switch 110 to connect the storage battery 140 to the
display unit 180.
Accordingly, power of the storage battery 140 may be supplied to
the display unit 180 in a high-price information period. On the
other hand, when the energy consumption component 100 is in a
standby power mode, the power supplied from the power supply 150
may be cut off. Since power to drive the display unit 180 in the
standby power mode may be supplied from the storage battery 140,
energy cost may be reduced by cutting off the power of the power
supply 150.
Hereinafter, there will be described another embodiment. FIG. 18 is
a schematic view illustrating a home area network according to
another embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 18, a power supply network system 10 includes the
energy metering component 25 that is a smart meter capable of
metering an amount of power supplied to each residential customer
and electricity cost thereof in real time and the energy management
component 24 that is an energy management system (EMS) connected to
the energy metering component 25 and a plurality of electric
apparatuses such as electric products and controlling the
operations thereof.
The EMS is connected to electric products such as the refrigerator
100a, the washing machine 100b, the air cleaner 100c, the drying
machine 100d, and cooking appliances 100e and performs two-way
communication therewith.
On the other hand, storage batteries 200 to 205 capable of
supplying power solely or in common to the respective electric
products if necessary and each of the storage batteries 200 to 205
is connected to one another. The storage batteries 200 to 205
receive and store external power and supply to the electric
products when necessary.
The respective electric products are provided with the storage
batteries 201 to 204, and each of the storage batteries 201 to 204
is connected to one another. On the other hand, a power consumer,
that is, in-house network itself is connected to the common storage
battery 200 capable of being used in common.
The common storage battery 200 has a large capacity of storing
electricity, being compared to those of the storage batteries 201
to 205 connected to the respective electric products and functions
as a supplier for the respective electric products. That is, the
storage batteries 201 to 204 connected to the respective electric
products function as providing corresponding electric products, and
the common storage battery 200 may provide all the electric
products connected to a power network.
The common storage battery 200 and the storage batteries 201 to 204
may communicate with the EMS 24. In the common storage battery 200
and the storage batteries 201 to 204, electricity may be stored
according to an electricity storing command of the EMS 24. Also,
the common storage battery 200 and the storage batteries 201 to 204
may supply the electricity stored according to the electricity
storing command of the EMS 24 to the electric products to which the
respective storage batteries are connected or may supply to other
electric products.
Meanwhile, the EMS 24 may be provided inside the electric home
appliance continuously operated for 24 hours such as the
refrigerator 100a.
In the present embodiment, the common storage battery 200 and the
storage batteries 201 to 204 connected to the respective electric
products, and the EMS 24 used for storing electricity thereof, and
the electric products to which the storage batteries 201 to 204 are
connected are commonly designated as devices. As a method of
controlling the device may be considered as one of a method of
controlling the EMS giving the electricity storing command to store
electricity or the respective electric products and a controlling
method of the common storage battery 200 independently storing
electricity or the storage batteries 201 to 204 connected to the
respective electric products.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a
device according to an embodiment. FIGS. 20 to 22 are graphs
illustrating an electricity cost varying with a certain time period
and electricity storage time periods related to the present
embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 19, the method of controlling a device includes
steps of recognizing whether electric power information including
electricity cost is corresponding to a high price information
period or a low price information period (S30), comparing a
electricity storage cost in an electricity storage time period with
a certain price (S33 and S34), and performing electricity storage
for the electricity storage time period when the electricity
storage cost is less than the certain price (S35 and S36).
The electric power information may include electric power
information of a grid power source and electric power information
of a distributed power source such as new & renewal energy, and
the electric power information of the distributed power source may
include climate information and drive information of the
distributed power source. In this case, the drive information of
the distributed power source may include one or more of an
electricity producing rate, an electricity generation cost, and
electricity cost by reflecting the climate information. That is,
depending on a degree of electricity cost, the grid power source
and the distributed power source may be selectively used to store
electricity.
The step of recognizing (S30) may include steps of collecting and
obtaining electric power information (31) and processing or
determining the obtained electric power information (S32). In
addition, the step of collecting and obtaining the electric power
information may include the step of receiving the electric power
information from a power provider. Also, the step of processing the
electric power information may be performed by one of the user and
the power provider and may be calculated by one of MYCOM for
controlling the driving of the device and EMS described above.
On the other hand, referring to FIG. 20, the step of recognizing
the high price information period and the low price information
period may be performed by one of comparing the electric power
information provided to the device with the certain price preset in
the device and information regarding the high price information
period and the low price information period provided from the
outside of the device.
In an intellectual power grid, for example, an electricity cost may
vary with a certain day, a certain week, or a certain month, and
more particularly, a certain time in the certain day. For example,
the electricity cost is determined to be expensive in an on-peak
time period with a large amount of power consumption more than that
in an off-peak time period with relatively small amount of power
consumption. Also, the power provided under the intellectual power
grid may provide electricity cost information for each time period
divided with a predetermined time interval to the user.
Referring to (a) in FIG. 21, the electricity storage time period
may be a time period with both a start time and an end time
belonging to the low price information period. Different from this,
referring to (b) in FIG. 21, the electricity storage time period
may be a time period with a start time belonging to the high price
information period and with an end time belonging to the low price
information period.
On the contrary, referring to (a) in FIG. 22, the electricity
storage time period may be a time period with a start time
belonging to the low price information period and with an end time
belonging to the high price information period. Different from
this, referring to (b) in FIG. 22, the electricity storage time
period may be a time period with both a start time and an end time
belonging to the high price information period.
In other words, all the electricity storage time period may be
included in the low price information period, a part of the
electricity storage time period may be included in the high price
information period, and all the electricity storage time period may
be included in the high price information period. On the other
hand, the electricity storage time period may be one of a
continuous time period and a plurality of time intermittent time
periods.
The method of controlling a device according to the present
embodiment includes, to perform electricity storage with a lower
price, steps of comparing an electricity storage cost of the
electricity storage time period with a certain price and performing
the electricity storage for the electricity storage time period
when the electricity storage cost is less than the certain price.
In this case, the certain price may be determined based on one of
an electricity storage allowance price, an estimated time of
driving a certain device, a power consumption amount of the certain
device, and power information of a time period including the
estimated time of driving the certain device.
That is, the certain price may be determined as an electricity
storage allowance price previously determined by the user
regardless of high price or low price information periods, in which
the electricity storage may be performed for the electricity
storage time period when the electricity storage cost is less than
the electricity storage allowance price.
Also, the certain price may be determined based on the power
information of the time period including the estimated time of
driving the device using stored electricity, for example, an
electricity cost of a grid power source, in which the electricity
storage may be performed for the electricity storage time period
when the electricity storage cost is less than the electricity cost
of driving the device. Also, the performing the electricity storage
for the electricity storage time period may be automatically
performed by one of an input of the user and MYCOM for controlling
driving the device. Also, the certain price may be determined by
one of the user and MYCOM controlling driving the device, and a
power supply source providing the power information.
Until now, though there has been described a case where an
electricity cost and an electricity storage cost of one external
power source such as a grid power source are compared with each
other and the electricity storage is performed when the electricity
cost is less than a certain price, the present embodiment is not
limited to the one external power source but is able to be applied
to a case of receiving power from a plurality of external power
sources. In this case, the plurality of power sources may include a
grid power source, for example, Korean Electric Power Corporation
(KEPCO) and a plurality of distributed power sources, for example,
solar heat, geothermal heat, and wind power.
A method of controlling a device according to another embodiment
includes steps of recognizing one or more pieces of grid power
information including an electricity cost of grid power source and
one or more pieces of distributed power information including an
electricity cost of a distributed power source, comparing an
electricity storage cost in an electricity storage time period via
one of the grid power source and the distributed power source with
a certain price, and performing electricity storage for the
electricity storage time period when the electricity storage cost
using any one of the power sources is less than the certain
price.
That is, the device may be controlled to recognize power
information such as the electricity cost provided from one of the
grid power source and the distributed power source, calculate
electricity storage costs of storing electricity using the
respective power sources, compare the electricity storage cost with
the certain price, and perform electricity storage for the
electricity storage time period when the electricity storage cost
using any one of the power sources is less than the certain
price.
As described above, according to the method of controlling the
device according to an embodiment, under a power grid in which
power information varies with a certain time period, the power
information may be recognized, it may be determined by comparing an
electricity storage cost with a certain price whether to perform
electricity storage, and power may be efficiently used.
There is provided another embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a view illustrating relations among power stored in an
electricity storage device, a power consumption amount, and a
reference power amount, in which the power stored in the
electricity storage device may be provided to electric products if
necessary, thereby reducing the power as time elapses as shown in
FIG. 23.
When the power is stored in the electricity storage device, an
electric product may periodically meter a power consumption amount
that is a consumption amount of power supplied from a power supply
source.
When the electric product operates while performing unique function
thereof, an amount of power consumed by the electric product may be
increased as time elapses as shown in FIG. 23. As setting a shorter
period of metering a power consumption amount, a change in an
amount of power consumed by the electric product becomes an actual
one.
In addition, a difference between the reference power amount
previously set and the metered power consumption amount is
determined and a ratio of an amount of power supplied from a power
supply source to an amount of using power stored in the electricity
storage device is determined depending on the difference between
the reference power amount and the power consumption amount.
The reference power amount may be determined by the user as a
maximum power consumption amount allowed to an electric product
while using the electric product. However, the reference power
amount may be previously set by the manufacturer of the electric
product or may be set arbitrarily from power information received
by one of the in-house energy management system and the energy
metering component 25 from a central energy management system.
Additionally, when a plurality of electric products are connected
to one another via an in-house network, the reference power amount
may be defined to be a maximum power consumption amount allowed in
one residential consumer.
Accordingly, when the user sets, to save an electricity cost, the
reference power amount and uses the electric product not to exceed
the reference power amount, it is possible to manage the
electricity cost. However, while using electric products, there is
a limit in managing the use of electric products by the user of his
or her own in such a way that the power consumption amount is
always less than the reference power amount.
Accordingly, a method of controlling electric products according to
the present embodiment includes determining a power usage amount
rate according to a difference between the power consumption amount
and the reference power amount to minimize a load in an electricity
cost according to the use of electric products not only when the
power consumption amount is more than the reference power amount
but also when the power consumption amount is less than the
reference power amount and supplying power to electric products
according to the determined power usage amount rate.
The power usage amount rate indicates a ratio of a usage amount of
power stored in the electricity storage device to a usage amount of
power supplied from a power supply source, and may be determined
via an embodiment as follows.
First, when a power consumption amount is more than a reference
power amount (t3-t4), the power usage amount rate may be determined
in such a way that a power amount A needed to reach the reference
power amount is supplied from the power supply source and a power
amount B exceeding the reference power amount is supplied from the
electricity storage device.
When operating electric products according to the power usage
amount rate determined as described above, a power amount to which
an electricity cost is charged such as an amount of power supplied
from the power supply source, that is, a power consumption amount
does not exceed the reference power amount set by the user, and
also, stored power may be used for residual power needed to drive
electric products, thereby driving electric products within an
electricity cost range set by the user.
On the other hand, when the electricity storage device does not
store electricity while driving electric products, since the amount
of power stored in the electricity storage device becomes reduced
by an amount of power supplied to electric products, it is shown in
FIG. 23 that the stored power is reduced when the power amount B
exceeding the reference power amount is supplied from the
electricity storage device to electric products. Of course, when
the power consumption amount is more than the reference power
amount, the power usage amount rate may be determined different
from the described above. That is, the power usage amount rate is
determined in such a way that the amount of using the power stored
in the electricity storage device is greater than the amount of
using the power supplied from the power supply source, and power
may be provided to electric products according thereto.
Since the power usage amount rate is determined in such a way that
an area of B in FIG. 23 is greater than that of A therein, the
power amount to which the electricity cost is charged such as the
power amount provided from the power supply source, that is, the
power consumption amount does not reach the reference power amount,
thereby driving electric products within the electricity cost range
set by the user.
Also, the power usage rate may be determined to supply only the
power stored in the electricity storage device to electric
products. In this case, the power amount stored in the electricity
storage device may be reduced by A+B in FIG. 23.
Hereinafter, it will now be described to determine the power usage
amount rate when the power consumption amount is less than the
reference power amount.
When the power consumption amount is less than the reference power
amount as shown in 0-t1, t1-t2, and t2-t3, since a power amount
smaller than the reference power amount set by the user is consumed
though supplying the power supplied from the power supply source to
electric products, the power usage amount rate may be determined to
supply only one of the power stored in the electricity storage
device and the power supplied from the power supply source to
electric products.
Also, the power usage amount rate is determined arbitrarily but it
is permissible to determine the power usage amount of the power
supplied from the power supply source to be greater than that of
the power stored in the electricity storage device. This is for
supplying a greater amount of the power stored in the electricity
storage device in a time period when the power consumption amount
is more than the reference power amount.
On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, an
electricity cost charged while operating an electric product is
metered, a power usage amount rate is determined based on the
metered electricity cost and a reference price set by the user, and
power may be supplied to the electric product depending on the
determined power usage amount rate.
That is, the method according to the present embodiment may include
steps of storing power stored in an electricity storage device in
the electricity storage device, periodically determining an
electricity cost according to consuming power supplied from a power
supply source by an electric product, determining rates of an
amount of using the power supplied from the power supply source and
an amount of using the power stored in the electricity storage
device according to a difference between a metered electricity cost
and a preset reference price, and supplying power to the electric
product according to the determined power usage amount rate. In
this case, since the power usage amount rate may be determined as
the embodiment described above, a detailed description thereof will
be omitted.
On the other hand, a power usage amount rate may be determined not
by periodically determining a power amount consumed by an electric
product but by determining a power consumption amount estimated
while operating the electric product. That is, the method according
to the present embodiment may include steps of storing power stored
in an electricity storage device in the electricity storage device,
determining an estimated power consumption amount needed in driving
an electric product, determining a power usage amount rate
according to a difference between the estimated power consumption
amount and a preset reference power amount, and supplying power to
the electric product according to the determined power usage amount
rate.
The step of determining an estimated power consumption amount is a
step of, when the user inputs power to an electric product desired
to be driven among electric products connected to an in-house
network, estimating a power consumption amount needed in operating
the electric product to which power is inputted.
The electric products connected via the in-house network generally
include one or a plurality of operation modes and the user selects
any one of the one or a plurality of operation modes, thereby
executing unique functions set in operation modes of the electric
product.
Accordingly, in case of an electric product including operation
modes, the step of determining an estimated power consumption
amount may be performed by, when the user inputs an operation mode
to drive a certain electric product among a plurality of in-house
electric products, gathering a power consumption amount set in a
corresponding operation mode.
On the other hand, when the estimated power consumption amount is
determined, the power usage amount rate may be determined based on
the difference between the estimated power consumption amount and
the reference power amount. When the estimated power consumption
amount is more than the reference power amount, the power usage
amount rate may be determined in such a way that power
corresponding to the reference power amount is provided from the
power supply source and power exceeding the reference power amount
is provided from the power stored in the electricity storage
device. That is, as shown in FIG. 23, the power usage amount rate
may be determined based on a ratio of the power amount A needed in
reaching the reference power amount to the power amount B needed
exceeding the reference power amount.
However, when the estimated power consumption amount is less than
the reference power amount, the power usage amount rate may be
determined to supply only one of the power stored in the
electricity storage device and the power supplied from the power
supply source to the electric product.
Hereinafter, there will be described an embodiment of supplying
power stored in an electricity storage device to an electric
product without determining a power usage amount rate.
The method of controlling an electric product according to the
present embodiment may include steps of storing power supplied from
a power supply source in an electricity storage device,
periodically metering an amount of consuming the power supplied
from the power supply source by the electric product (a power
consumption amount), and supplying the power stored in the
electricity storage device to the electric product when the power
consumption amount is more than a preset reference power amount and
supplying the power provided from the power supply source to the
electric product when the power consumption amount is less than the
reference power amount.
FIG. 24 is a view illustrating relations among the power
consumption amount, the reference power amount, and the stored
power amount related to the present embodiment, in which a certain
amount of power is stored in the electricity storage device via the
step of storing electricity and the electric product is operated
receiving the power from the power supply source. In this case, in
the controlling method according to the present embodiment, the
power consumption amount is compared with the reference power
amount and the power stored in the electricity storage device is
supplied to the electric product.
That is, when the power consumption amount is more than the
reference power amount (t2-t3 and t3-t4), the power stored in the
electricity storage device is supplied to the electric product.
However, when the power consumption amount is less than the
reference power amount (0-t1 and t1-t2), the power provided from
the power supply source is supplied to the electric product.
Accordingly, since the power provided from the power supply source
is supplied to the electric product in time periods where the power
consumption amount is less than the reference power amount, there
is no change in an amount of the power stored in the electricity
storage device.
However, passing through t2-t3 period where the power consumption
amount is more than the reference power amount, the amount of the
power stored in the electricity storage device becomes reduced by
D. Since the power consumption amount shown in FIG. 24 is a value
obtained by accumulating by lapse of time, the amount of the power
supplied to the electric product in t2-t3 period is D.
In a method of controlling an electric product according to another
embodiment, regardless of a power usage amount rate, power stored
in an electricity storage device may be selectively supplied
depending on a high price information period and a low price
information period.
In other words, the method of controlling an electric product
according to the present embodiment may include steps of storing
power provided from a power supply source in the electricity
storage device, determining whether power information corresponds
to the high price information period or the low price information
period, and supplying the power stored in the electricity storage
device to the electric product in the high price information period
and supplying the power provided from the power supply source to
the electric product in the low price information period.
The power information is data including information regarding
electricity cost varying with time. However, since the electricity
cost is just an example, of the power information, there may be
provided data in various forms capable of distinguishing the high
price information period on which power demands are concentrated
and the low price information period on which power demands are
less concentrated, as the power information.
FIG. 25 is a view illustrating an example of determining the high
price information period and the low price information period by
using a certain reference value S, in which a time period where an
electricity cost for each time exceeds the reference value S is
determined to be the high price information period and another time
period where the electricity cost for each time is less than the
reference value S is determined to be the low price information
period.
In this case, in the controlling method according to the present
embodiment, the power stored in the electricity storage device is
supplied to the electric product when a present time of driving the
electric product corresponds to the high price information period
and the power provided from the power supply source is supplied to
the electric product when the present time of driving the electric
product corresponds to the low price information period.
Accordingly, generation of the electricity cost is prevented by
driving the electric product using the power in the electricity
storage device in the high price information period where the
electricity cost is high and generation of the electricity cost is
reduced by driving the electric product using the power provided
from the power supply source in the low price information period
where the electricity cost is low.
FIG. 26 relates to an embodiment of driving an electric product
considering an estimated power consumption amount for each
operation mode and an amount of power stored in an electricity
storage device. A method of the present embodiment may include
steps of storing power provided from a power supply source in an
electricity storage device, determining an estimated power
consumption amount for each operation mode of an electric product
including one or more of operation modes, and performing an
operation mode with an estimated power consumption amount less than
an amount of the power stored in the electricity storage device by
using the power stored in the electricity storage device and
performing an operation mode with an estimated power consumption
amount more than the amount of the power in the electricity storage
device by using the power provided from the power supply
source.
As shown in FIG. 26, the method includes a step of determining a
power consumption amount estimated for each of a plurality of
operation modes set in the electric product. The power consumption
amount or the estimated power consumption amount shown in FIGS. 23
and 24 are values obtained by accumulating power consumption
amounts according to the operation of the electric product, but the
estimated power consumption amount for each operation mode shown in
FIG. 26 is an estimated value of a power amount expected for each
operation mode.
In this case, when the estimated power consumption amount for each
operation mode is less than the amount of the power stored in the
electricity storage device (0-t1, t1-t2, and t4-t5), the power
stored in the electricity storage device is supplied to the
electric product to perform a corresponding operation mode. When
the estimated power consumption amount for each operation mode is
more than the amount of the power stored in the electricity storage
device (t2-t3 and t3-t4), the power provided from the power supply
source is supplied to the electric product to perform a
corresponding operation mode. Meanwhile, comparing the estimated
power consumption amount for each operation mode with the amount of
the power stored in the the estimated power consumption amount for
each operation mode is less than the amount of the power stored in
the electricity storage device may be performed whenever the each
operation mode is finished.
There is provided another embodiment.
FIGS. 27 and 28 are block views illustrating a network system
according to the present embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, the network system according to the
present embodiment includes an energy consumption component 300.
The network system includes the energy metering component 25
recognizing one of energy information and additional information
except the energy information, the energy management component 24
controlling or managing driving the energy consumption component
300 according to one of the energy information and the additional
information, and a communication unit 310 communicating with one of
the energy management component 24 and the energy metering
component 25.
The energy consumption component 300 includes a driving motor 320
as a driving unit providing a driving force to drive one or more
driving units 360 that are ones of subordinate components and
energy consumption units constituting the energy consumption
component 300, a generator 330 as an energy conversion unit
generating an electric energy by using the driving force that is a
dynamic energy of the driving motor 320, and a storage battery 340
as an energy storage unit storing the electric energy generated by
the generator 330. The storage battery 340 may be provided inside
the energy consumption component 300 or may be connected to the
outside of the energy consumption component 300 to transmit
electric power.
The network system further includes a power supply 390 for
providing power to the energy consumption component 300. The power
supply 390 is an electrical outlet provided in a house or a
building and may be an alternative current AC supply unit.
The energy consumption component 300 includes a first switch 370
for selecting one of the power supply 390 and the storage battery
340 as a power source of the driving motor 320, a second switch 380
selectively connecting the driving motor 320 to the generator 330,
and a control unit 350 controlling turning on/off of the first and
second switches 370 and 380.
As an example, the energy consumption component 300 including the
driving motor 320 may include a refrigerator. The driving motor 320
and the driving unit 360 may be a fan motor and a blowing fan. As
another example, the energy consumption component 300 may include a
washing machine. Also, the driving motor 320 and the driving unit
360 a motor for generating a rotational force and a drum rotated by
the motor, the drum being a storage unit for storing wash
water.
As another example, the energy consumption component 300 may
include a cooking appliance. Also, the driving motor 320 and the
driving unit 360 may be a fan motor and a blowing fan for blowing
heated air. As another example, the energy consumption component
300 may include an air cleaner. Also, the driving motor 320 and the
driving unit 360 may be a fan motor and a blowing fan for sucking
or discharging air.
In detail, the communication unit 310 may receive the information,
that is, one of the energy information and the additional
information except the energy information from one of the energy
management component 24 and the energy metering component 25. When
the information is recognized as to restrict driving the energy
consumption component 300, for example, when the information is
recognized as energy cost information exceeding a preset reference
value (as one of a high price information period and an on-peak
time period), the energy consumption component 300 may be
controlled to reduce one of a power amount and an electricity
cost.
When the information is recognized as the high price information
period, driving of the driving motor 320 and the driving unit 360
using power of the power supply 390 may be restricted. In this
case, the first switch 370 operates in such a way that the driving
motor 320 receives power from the storage battery 340.
Meanwhile, the power of the storage battery 340 may not only allow
one of the driving motor 320 and the driving unit 360 to be driven
but also allow another subordinate component that is the energy
consumption unit constituting the energy consumption component 300
to be driven. As an example, the power of the storage battery 340
may be used to drive a defrosting heater of a refrigerator or to
turn on an internal light inside the refrigerator. As an example,
the power of the storage battery 340 may be used to turn on a light
provided in a display of one electric product or to operate a
clock.
On the contrary, when the information is not recognized as the high
price information period, driving of the driving motor 320 and the
driving unit 360 may be performed by the power of the power supply
390. In this case, the first switch 370 operates in such a way that
the driving motor 320 is connected to the power supply 390.
Also, the second switch 380 operates in such a way that the driving
motor 320 is connected to the generator 330. In a process of
operating the driving motor 320, at least a part of the rotational
force of the driving motor 320 may be used to drive the
generator.
There will be described functions of the network system in
brief.
When it is not recognized as the high price information period
based on information transferred from one of the energy management
component 24 and the energy metering component 25, as an example,
recognized as one of the low price time period and an off-peak time
period, the first switch 370 operates to connect the driving motor
320 to the power supply 390 and to connect the second switch 380 to
the driving motor 320.
Accordingly, the driving motor 320 is driven by the power of the
power supply 320 and a dynamic energy of the driving motor 320 may
be inputted to the generator 330 and be converted into an
electrical energy. Also, the electrical energy may be stored in the
storage battery 340. That is, in the low price information period,
the electrical energy may be generated and stored by using the
dynamic energy generated in a process of driving one unit included
in the energy consumption component 300.
On the other hand, when it is recognized as the on-peak time period
based on the information transferred from one of the energy
management component 24 and t he energy metering component 25, the
control unit 350 may control the first switch 370 in order to
connect the driving motor 320 to the storage battery 340 and may
turn off the second switch.
Accordingly, the power of the storage battery 340 may be used to
drive the driving motor 320. However, the power of the storage
battery 340 may be used to drive another subordinate component such
as the energy consumption unit of the energy consumption component
300. According to a configuration as described above, when one of
the energy information and the additional information except the
energy information exceeds a preset reference value, an energy cost
may be reduced by reducing one of a power amount consumed by the
energy consumption component 300 and a power supply amount of the
power supply 390.
FIG. 29 is a block view illustrating a network system according to
another embodiment, and FIG. 30 is a graph illustrating an amount
of energy stored in one unit of an energy consumption component 400
according to another embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, the network system including the
energy consumption component 400 includes the energy metering
component 25 recognizing one of energy information and additional
information except the energy information, the energy management
component 24 managing and controlling driving of the energy
consumption component 400 according to one of the energy
information and the additional information, and a communication
unit 410 communicating with one of the energy management component
24 and the energy metering component 25.
The energy consumption component 400 includes a driving motor 420
providing a driving force to drive one or more driving units 460
that are ones of subordinate components and energy consumption
units constituting the energy consumption component 400, a counter
electromotive force storage unit 440 storing a counter
electromotive force of the driving motor 420, and a control unit
460 controlling driving of the driving motor 420. Examples of the
driving motor 420 and the driving unit 460 are similar to the
description with reference to FIG. 28 and will be omitted.
The counter electromotive force of the driving motor 420 is an
opposite load against an electromotive force generated in a process
of driving a motor and may be generated when the motor stops. For
example, in a process of spin-drying with a high speed in a washing
machine including a permanent magnet motor, when the motor stops, a
counter electromotive force may be generated. Also, the counter
electromotive force may be stored in the counter electromotive
force storage unit 440 and be used as power in a certain period.
The counter electromotive force storage unit 440 may be considered
corresponding to the storage battery in FIG. 28. The stop of the
driving motor 420 may be performed by cutting off power of the
energy consumption component 400 or an operation of the user.
Referring to FIG. 30, a voltage of the driving motor 420 is
uniformly maintained in A period in which the driving motor 420 is
driven and the voltage is rapidly increased after a decrease in a
short time and a counter electromotive force is generated in B
period in which the driving motor 420 stops. A part shown as a
certain area C may be designated as power by the counter
electromotive force.
In detail, the communication unit 410 may receive the information,
that is, one of the energy information and the additional
information except the energy information, from one of the energy
management component 24 and the energy metering component 25. When
the information is recognized to restrict driving of the energy
consumption component 400, for example, when the information is
recognized as a high price information period, the energy
consumption component may be controlled to reduce one of a power
amount and an electricity cost.
That is, when the information is recognized as the high price
information period, driving of the energy consumption component 400
using a power supply (refer to the description of FIG. 28) may be
restricted. Also, power of the counter electromotive force storage
unit 440 may be used to drive the energy consumption component 400.
Of course, the power of the counter electromotive force storage
unit 440 may be used not only to drive the energy consumption
component 400 but also to drive other subordinate components such
as energy consumption units constituting the energy consumption
component 400.
There will be described functions of the network system according
to the present embodiment in brief.
When the energy consumption component 400 is operated, in a process
where the driving motor 420 stops after driving, there is generated
a counter electromotive force. Also, the generated counter
electromotive force is stored in the counter electromotive force
storage unit 440. On the other hand, when it is recognized as an
on-peak time period based on the information transferred from one
of the energy management component 24 and the energy metering
component 25, power stored in the counter electromotive storage
unit 440 may be used to drive one of the energy consumption
component 400 and one unit constituting the energy consumption
component 400.
According to a configuration as described above, when one of the
energy information and the additional information except the energy
information exceeds a preset reference value, an energy cost may be
reduce by reducing one of a power amount consumed by the energy
consumption component 400 and a power supply amount of the power
supply.
There is provided another embodiment.
FIG. 31 is a schematic view illustrating the home area network 20
of the network system according to another embodiment. FIG. 32 is a
flowchart illustrating a control method of converting an energy
generator according to whether it is a high price time period of an
electricity cost or not in the network system. FIG. 33 is a
flowchart illustrating a control method of performing electricity
generation using an optimal generation method according to
environment information in the network system.
Referring to FIG. 31, the home area network 20 includes the energy
metering component 25 metering one or more of power and an
electricity cost supplied to each residential consumer from the
utility network 10, for example, a smart meter, and the energy
management 24 connected to the energy metering component 25 and
electric products and controlling the operations thereof. In this
case, the smart meter may meter the entire energy consumption
amount consumed by the home area network 20, that is, the whole
electricity consumption amount.
The energy management component 24 is connected to an electric
product as the energy consumption component 26, that is, one of the
washing machine 100a, the refrigerator 100b, the air cleaner 100c,
the drying machine 100d, and the cooking appliance 100e and may
two-way communicate therewith.
Also, the home area network 20 includes a in-house energy generator
610 to generate energy supplied to the energy consumption component
26. In this case, the in-house energy generator 610 includes one or
more eco-friendly energy generators 611 and 612. The eco-friendly
energy generators 611 and 612 may be a solar generator using solar
irradiation and a wind power generator using wind power,
respectively. Of course, the eco-friendly energy generators 611 and
612 may be various generators that are eco-friendly such as a water
power generator using water power, a geothermal heat generator
using geothermal heat, and a fuel cell. The in-house energy
generator 610 is connected to provide energy to the energy
consumption component 26.
Meanwhile, an electricity cost for each residential consumer is
charged as a price per unit consumption amount, the electricity
cost per unit consumption amount becomes higher in a time period in
which a power consumption amount is rapidly increased, and the
electricity cost per unit consumption amount becomes lower in a
midnight in which a power consumption amount is relatively
reduced.
The electricity cost per unit consumption amount for each time
period may be received being included in information regarding
energy received from the energy management component 24. The time
period in which the electricity cost per unit consumption amount is
expensive may be referred to as a high electricity cost time
period. The high electricity cost time period may indicate an
on-peak time.
The network system may change into a suitable energy generator 610
according to whether it is the high electricity cost time period or
not, thereby providing economical electric power consumption.
For example, referring to FIG. 32, while using the electric product
by receiving common electricity, the energy management component 24
may check whether it is the high electricity cost time period or
not, based on received information regarding on an energy cost
(S41). In this case, it may be determined based on a time period in
which an electricity cost exceeds a reference price whether it is
the high electricity cost time period or not, based on the energy
cost information. That is, the time period the electricity cost
exceeds the reference price may be considered as the high
electricity cost time period.
Also, when reaching the high electricity cost time period (S42),
the energy generator supplying electricity to the electric product
may be converted into the in-house energy generator 610 (S43). In
detail, when reaching the high electricity cost time period while
using the common electricity, the energy generator supplying
electricity to the electric product may be converted to one of the
solar generator 611 and the wind power generator 612. That is, when
reaching the high electricity cost time period, the energy
generator supplying the electricity to the electric product is
converted into one of the in-house energy generator 610 and the
eco-friendly energy generators 611 and 612.
Meanwhile, the additional information except the energy information
may be received by the energy management component 24 together with
the energy information. The additional information may include
environmental information including one or more of a temperature, a
wind speed, an air volume, a solar radiation amount, and
precipitation.
The network system may be controlled to perform generation using an
optimal generation method based on the environmental information.
For example, referring to FIG. 33, the energy management component
24 may receive the environmental information in real time (S51).
The environmental information includes information regarding
various environmental factors such as a temperature a wind speed,
an air volume, a solar radiation amount, and precipitation capable
of having effects on generation efficiency and performance of the
eco-friendly energy generators 611 and 612.
Also, the energy management component 24 may predict an electricity
generation amount for each generation method based on the
environmental information (S52). That is, the energy management
component 24 may calculate an electricity generation amount using a
solar generation method based on solar irradiation information and
may calculate an electricity generation amount using a power wind
generation method based on one of a wind speed and an air
volume.
Also, the energy management component 24 converts the energy
generator supplying electricity to the electric product in order to
perform generation using the optimal generation method based on the
estimated electricity generation amount for each generation method
(S53). In detail, based on the estimated electricity generation
amount for each generation method, the energy generator 610 is
converted in order to perform the generation using a generation
method providing an electricity generation amount corresponding to
a maximum amount.
For example, when an electricity generation amount using the solar
generation method is estimated to be greater than that of the wind
power generation method, the solar generator 611 is used to supply
electricity to the electric product and the wind power generator
612 may stop an operation thereof. Accordingly, considering
environmental conditions, the generation may be performed by using
a generation method acquiring the greatest amount of electricity.
That is, the user may carry on more economic electricity
consumption.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively
manage energy sources and to reduce an electricity cost. Thus, its
industrial applicability is very high.
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